Ashes Victors Are Belfast-Bound

The winning England cricket team is coming to Belfast.

England's cricket squad are celebrating their Ashes victory over Australia - and getting ready to fly to Belfast this week for a one-day international.

They'll be a hard team to beat with praise still pouring in, led by the Queen after England secured a 2-1 series win at the Oval on Sunday, reclaiming the coveted ashes urn.

The Prime Minister is also to write to the England team congratulating them on their win, while Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe honoured the "fantastic achievement" and London Mayor Boris Johnson spoke of the team's courage and talents.

Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff, appeared in his last Test, securing England a 197-run win over Australia.

The title had belonged to Australia since they overpowered England 5-0 in 2006-07.

Flintoff said the match was like a dream.

"You know, everything that has happened over the past few years, to be involved in an Ashes winning side again, to be at The Oval, walking around the ground with the urn and the medal round your neck, it's almost surreal in some ways.

"I think it will take some time to sink in," he said.

However, Jonathan Trott has been called into the England squad as Andrew Flintoff's replacement for Thursday's One-Day International against Ireland.

Victorious Flintoff was withdrawn from the squad because he is to have surgery on his injured right knee on Tuesday.

Warwickshire's Trott scored a century on his Test debut at the Oval on Saturday as England beat Australia to clinch the Ashes.

Ireland pace bowler Boyd Rankin is also a major doubt for the Stormont match.

(GK/BMcC)