Prior to the second Ashes Test in the summer of 2009 at Lord's, Andrew Flintoff, who is widely regarded to be one of the best cricketers that England has ever produced, announced that he would retire at the end of the series.

After years of struggling with various injuries, the all-rounder had finally decided to call time on his career for the good of his body.

Indeed, Flintoff looked feeble for much of the contest at the home of English cricket, but he sprung into life on day five six years ago today to help his side open up a 1-0 lead following a drawn encounter in Cardiff.

Returning with Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin at the crease on 313-5, touring Australia required 209 runs for victory. Reaching such a target would have required them to break numerous records, but nevertheless there was still plenty of nerves among the home supporters.

However, a lot of the tension was eased with what was just Flintoff's fourth ball of the day. Bounding in from the Pavilion End, the bounce on his delivery forced Haddin to edge to second slip, where Paul Collingwood was waiting to take the catch, removing the Australian wicketkeeper for 80.

That brought Mitchell Johnson to the crease, yet despite some positive strokes, he was dismissed by spinner Graeme Swann for 63, as was centurion Clarke as the Aussies started to wobble.

It was left to Flintoff to seal the 115-run victory, though, as he bowled both Nathan Hauritz and Peter Siddle, which made his figures for the second innings read as 5-92.

Not only that, the Lancashire man's display had helped England to win an Ashes Test at Lord's for the first time in some 75 years.

Speaking about his five-wicket haul, Flintoff said: "It's right up there with anything. It's always a privilege to play at Lord's and to get my name on the board is really special.

"It's been a great Test match for the team. Everybody in the side has contributed. It's nice to get five wickets but it's been a hard battle over five days. Everybody can be proud."

Meanwhile, England captain Andrew Strauss added: "He said to me that I wasn't getting the ball out of his hand until he had all the wickets. Freddie was right in the zone.

"He's got a great heart and that's what gets him over the line. He was like a bull chasing a red rag. He was dying to get out there and play."

In total, Flintoff took eight wickets, scored 417 runs with the bat and famously ran out Ricky Ponting at The Oval as England regained the little urn thanks to a 2-1 series victory.