England’s cricket history has always witnessed many exciting victories across all game formats. From Flintoff’s heroism in 2005 to Stokes's unbelievable knock in the 2019 World Cup final, England has always been fearless and optimistic with their intent, skills, and passion for the game. These victories vindicate England's undying love for cricket and their ability to unite the fans in these memorable moments. Here’s a list of England's most exciting cricketing victories.
1. Third Test Vs Pakistan, 2000-2001
This match was the Series Decider match, as the previous two matches went for draws. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. They set the score of 405 in 1st inning. Then, England came to bat and scored 388, with the help of a knock of 125 played by Mike Atherton. Pakistan set a target of 176 for England. Under 70 runs, England’s three wickets fell, then a partnership of 91 runs took place between Graham Thorpe and Graeme Hick, and England won the match with six wickets in hand. With this beat, the home team’s 34-match unbeaten record, was shattered.
2. Sixth ODI Vs India, 2002
This match was the must-win game for England to level the series. They won the toss and elected to bat first. With the significant contribution of Marcus Trescothick’s 95 runs, England managed to put 256 runs as a target. India’s initial two wickets fell quickly. Then, Sourav Ganguly stood up and played a good knock of 80 runs. After his dismissal, wickets fell at regular intervals, and India required 11 in the last over. Andrew Flintoff showed his excellence, and England won by five runs. After winning the match, Andrew Flintoff twirled his T-shirt in the Wankhede Stadium, and we all know how Dada (Sourav Ganguly) took revenge.
3. Leeds 1981 3rd Test Vs Australia
We can say that Ian Botham and Bob Wills were the heroes of this match. To level the series, England had to win this match. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first and scored 401 runs in 1st inning. England got all out at 174, and Australia invited them for a follow-up. After the downfall of wickets at regular intervals, Ian Botham stayed on the crease, played a magnificent knock of 149 runs, and managed to set the target of 130 runs for Australia. Bob Wills took eight wickets in the 2nd innings, which is “Once in a lifetime” for any bowler. By his ferocious bowling, Australia got all out at 111 runs, and England won the match by 18 runs and leveled the series.
4. 5th ODI Vs Australia, 2018
This match was necessary for Australia not to let England whitewash them. Therefore, they won the toss and elected to bat first, with the significant contributions of Travis Head's 56 runs. Australia set the target of 206 runs. England’s first four wickets fell at 27 runs. That was when Jos Buttler came in and built a partnership with his teammates. Then, the superb innings of 110 played by Buttler snatched a win from Australia, and England won the match by one wicket.
5. World Cup 2010 Final Vs Australia
It was the Maiden ICC Tournament won by England. England won the toss in the finals and elected to field first. That was the right decision made by England as they took the first three wickets in just eight runs. But by David Hussey’s 59, they managed to score 147 runs. England chased the target in the 17th over. Craig Kieswetter got the Man of the Match, and Kevin Pietersen was the Player of the Tournament.
6. 3rd Test Vs India Leeds, 2021
After a humiliating defeat by India at Lord’s. England's confidence was down as they lost the match at home. India won the toss and decided to bat first. But, this was their biggest mistake as they got all out at 78 in 1st inning. Then, with Joe Root's impeccable century and Dawid Malan's crucial 70 runs, they scored 432 runs, and invited India for a follow-on. In the 2nd inning, India got all out at 278, and England sealed the massive win by an inning and 78 runs.
7. 3RD Test Vs Australia Edgebaston, Ashes 2005
This 2005 Ashes Series was Andrew Flintoff’s Series. In the third test, Australia started by winning a toss and chose to field first. England scored 407 runs in 1st inning, and Australia got all out at 308. At the end of Australia’s 1st inning, England had a lead of 99 runs. In the 2nd inning, Australia came back, and England got all out at 182 and set the target of 282. Australia had a decent start. Then, Shane Warne and Brett Lee built a partnership of 45 runs. At last, Australia needed three runs with one wicket in hand. Andrew Flintoff took the wicket, and England sealed the win by two runs.
8. 3T20 Vs SA 2016 World Cup, 2016
It is the highest-chased target in the T20 World Cup. At first, England won the toss and decided to bowl first; Amla, Quinton DeCock, and J.P. Duminy all scored half-centuries and set the impossible target of 230 runs. From England's side, Jason Roy gave the quick start, and then Joe Root played the crucial inning and built the essential partnership of 75 runs for England. With the help of Joe Root, England successfully chased down the 230-run target in the final over, breaking the world record of the highest T20 chase, which was later broken by West Indies. South Africa currently holds this record.
9. 3RD Test Vs Australia Leeds, Ashes, 2019
From the 2016 disaster to 2019, Ben Stokes developed himself to be the biggest match-winner in England. England started by winning the toss and chose to bowl first, but this was a good decision as they got out the Australian team at 179. Then, England got all out at 67. Australia set the target of 359 runs. England’s first two wickets fell early. Ben Stokes came in when England needed 218 runs. But, wickets were falling at regular intervals, and the scorecard reached 286-9; England still required 73 runs, Ben Stokes changed his approach, and every second bowl was going for a six; he built a partnership of 76 runs with Jack Leach to which Jack Leach contributed only one run, and it led England to their one of the most exciting wins.
10. World Cup Final Vs New Zealand, 2019
It was the best ODI match we ever saw, even on a big stage like the World Cup Final. New Zealand Started by winning a toss; they decided to bat first. Henry Nicholls's 50 runs and Tom Latham's 47 runs helped New Zealand to set the respectable target of 242 runs. England’s first four wickets fell at 86. After this, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler built a solid partnership of 110 runs. Ben Stokes scored 84 runs, and then scored eight runs in Super Over and led England to their first 50 Over World Champion, and then became the Man of the Match.
