PM leads political celebration of Ashes win
By politics.co.uk staff
David Cameron became the first political leader to offer the England team congratulations today, after they sealed their Ashes win down under.
England secured their first win in Australia for 24 years, winning the series by 3-1 after a final Ashes Test in Sydney which saw them roll home by an innings and 83 runs.
“I’ve spoken to Andrew Strauss this morning and congratulated the team, coaches and everyone behind the side on this tremendous victory,” the prime minister said.
“Retaining the Ashes was a fantastic achievement, but winning the series really is the icing on the cake.
“We’ve seen some great sporting moments over the series and the team have provided us with some brilliant memories that I’m sure fans will talk about for years to come.
“The whole country is incredibly proud of them.”
The English crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which dominated the stadium, let loose with Barmy Army songs.
Captain Andrew Strauss – only the third England skipper to win the series at home and away – said: “We came over here desperately wanting to win the series.
“Obviously in Melbourne we retained the Ashes but we really wanted to finish with a bang here in Sydney.
“All credit to the guys, they’ve been outstanding again, the way the bowlers bowled on day one, the batsmen dipped their bread in it again and we got another victory.
“We’re certainly going to enjoy this evening, that’s for sure.”
