Thousands greet England’s Ashes heroes in Trafalgar Square

Thousands of fans gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square on Tuesday to cheer England’s cricket team, following their historic Ashes win over Australia.

The team made their victory parade through the centre of London on an open-topped bus, after drawing with Australia in the final Test on Monday, to claim the Ashes for the first time in 18 years.

Many of the team members reportedly looked a little the worse for wear, after a night of celebration. Sporting dark glasses and clutching a miniature replica of the Ashes trophy, captain Michael Vaughan told the crowd that it had been “a long night” and said: “We celebrated in true English fashion.”

South African-born Kevin Pietersen, who was named man of the match in Monday’s final Test and Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, joined Vaughan at the front of the open-top double decker bus.

Flintoff, who was named player of the series, had perhaps celebrated hardest of all. He told the crowd that he had “not been to bed yet”. He said: “Behind these glasses there are 1,000 stories.”

England’s women’s team, who also triumphed over the Australian team in their Ashes match last month, also arrived in an open-top bus to join in the Trafalgar Square celebrations.

Prime Minister Tony Blair offered his congratulations to the England team. He said: “It’s been sport at its very best, played in a wonderful spirit between two exceptional sides and has gripped the whole country.

“By bringing the Ashes back after so long, you have given cricket a huge boost and lit up the whole summer.”

The Queen also offered her “warmest congratulations” to the team and said: “This has been a truly memorable series and both sides can take credit for giving us all such a wonderfully exciting and entertaining summer of cricket at its best.”

Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, described the win as “historic”. He said: “I send hearty congratulations to the team. It has been impossible not to get caught up by the excitement and sense of good will in the past few days.”

The England team headed to No 10 Downing Street for a reception. Following the reception, they were due to travel to Lord’s where the Ashes urn will be given to the Marylebone Cricket Club for safekeeping.

(KMcA/SP)