England's Champagne Moments

Obviously there were key moments when England won matches but here are a few of the moments when England supporters would have drawn breath and ruminated on the phenomenon that is now England cricket. There were certain points when individual players did something a bit special which made you realise that we are now playing cricket on another level...

Pietersen's 6 off Shane Warne at Lords
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Now that does not happen very often! And from an England player, this was a big reminder to the established England players that they had to get their game together against Warne. Pietersen was the catalyst to this new found confidence and strategy which was key to England's victory in the series.

Harmison's slower ball to Clarke at Edgbaston
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Harmison did not have a great series with the pitches not suited to his usual style but he caused problems and certainly unsettled the Aussies allowing other bowlers like Jones to exploit. But the slower ball to Clarke with the last ball on Saturday night set up the victory but was also executed to such perfection that it established Harmison as a bowler with guile and precision. My personal feeling is that he failed to deliver that variation enough overall but hopefully something to work on in future.

Vaughan bowled off a no ball by McGrath at Old Trafford

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I didn't think Vaughan had a great series with the bat but when your in luck you have to fill your boots. He was clean bowled by Glenn McGrath and to his relief it was a no ball. He went to score 166 and set up a match winning position for England.

Strauss's catch off Gilchrist at Trent Bridge

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Getting Adam Gilchrist was always the line that had to be crossed by England in every Australian innings and this catch was absolutely sensational, like Collingwood's catch of Hayden in the one dayers it left you speechless. The Strauss catch was absolutely fundamental to the Aussies following on and it gets better and better every time you watch it.

Flintoff's 18 over spell - 5 for 38 at the Oval
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For the shear endurance and determination this is not a moment as such but a sustained spell of brilliance from a fast bowler. I cant remember a feat of physical excellence of this nature in any sport. It totally turned the game and gave England the chance of the draw and the series win. To have the Aussies scoring at 2 an over and hemorrhaging wickets was superb, a marvel to behold and an example to team mates which must never be forgotten.