Ashes winners get No 10 reception

Andrew Strauss lifts the tiny Ashes urn amid a mist of champagne

The prime minister has invited the England cricket team to a Downing Street reception to celebrate their Ashes victory over Australia.

Gordon Brown praised the side's "great determination and commitment" after Sunday's victory in the deciding Test.

The Queen congratulated the England team, while also praising both sides for their "excellent performances".

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff joked last night's celebrations had been enjoyable but "pretty low key by my standards".

In a letter to England captain Andrew Strauss, Mr Brown said: "The series has been yet another wonderful showcase for cricket and for all that is great about sport.

"It has provided high sporting drama throughout the summer that has yet again gripped the entire nation."

This time it was something which I savoured Andrew Flintoff How the Ashes were won Freddie bows out in style

The prime minister added: "To win the Ashes with your magnificent display at The Oval - and coming back from the defeat at Headingley in the fourth Test - shows great determination and commitment."

Mr Brown said Strauss had "led England from the front, with patience, resolution and courage".

"The country is extremely proud of what you have achieved this summer."

In 2005, the England players visited Downing Street after celebrating late into the night, then being cheered by hundreds of thousands of fans during an open-top bus parade and party in Trafalgar Square.

This year, it was a more low-key affair with the players returning to their central London hotel around midnight.

Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff said the team had enjoyed a few beers in their dressing room after securing victory in the final Test at The Oval by 197 runs.

Later, they headed back to their hotel to be with friends and family.

"It was not too crazy but very enjoyable," Flintoff said. "I remember 2005 - contrary to popular belief; 2005 was fantastic, it almost snuck up on us.

"I lived for the moment then and celebrated hard. But this time it was something which I savoured."

Champagne and fireworks

Fellow hotel guests said the team appeared to have had a quiet night and were happy to pose for photographs.

Holly Cawdron, a 19-year-old student from Rye, East Sussex, said: "They all came in and they seemed pretty sober.

"They (the players) were quite happily shaking hands and were being applauded. It was all very good natured."

On Sunday, Strauss said: "The last time we hadn't won the Ashes for 18 years so it was almost a step into the unknown for all of us. No-one in the team had won an Ashes series before," he said.

"This time there were a few in the side that have. We have got to be conscious that this is just a stepping stone. It's not the end in itself."

However, his humility did not stop the champagne flowing and fireworks exploding in the late evening sun when he lifted the tiny Ashes trophy - a replica of the real urn.

Strauss, who was named man of the series, said it had been a rollercoaster of a day.

"So many emotions we went through today, hope, frustration, worry, despair at times when we didn't look like we were going to take a wicket, and then to come through and to finish it off, until you actually get over the line, you don't realise how hard it is to get over that line."

England have spun, swung and swatted their way to an incredible triumph Mayor of London Boris Johnson Australia: Victim of a cricket heist? England celebration pictures

It was Flintoff's last Test match and he exited in style by dismissing Australian captain Ricky Ponting with a run-out.

After the win, he said it was "like a dream" and would take "some time to sink in".

England have a packed schedule ahead of them and are flying to Belfast on Tuesday for a one-day international.

Flintoff has withdrawn from the England squad for the upcoming matches and will undergo surgery for a knee injury later.

He will miss Thursday's match in Belfast, the Twenty20 internationals, the series against Australia and the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Leadership praised

The teams had gone into the final Test with the series level at 1-1, before England's victory sparked joyous scenes at the south London ground as well as in Regent's Park in the capital - where thousands watched the action on a big screen - and in pubs, bars and living rooms across the country.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The Queen congratulates the England team on their victory in The Ashes, and extends her good wishes to both teams on their excellent performances over the course of the series."

Retired international umpire, Dickie Bird, was both delighted and perplexed by the Australian team selection.

"It was a tremendous performance. But you know, I can't understand this selection of the Australian side, why they went in without a spinner, they must be bonkers."

The team's leadership has been credited with the upturn in fortunes

Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe, who was at The Oval, said: "This is a big boost for English cricket and the team have done the whole country proud."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "England have spun, swung and swatted their way to an incredible triumph.

"It is a wonderful achievement and testament to the courage, determination and remarkable array of talents within this fantastic cricketing team."

Hugh Morris, managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said the boys were "absolutely elated with their performance" and had come a long way over the last eight or nine months.

He praised the leadership of Strauss and team director Andy Flower.

This was echoed by former England captain Mike Gatting, who credited the pair for getting the "ship righted" after a few troubles in the England camp.

"To actually win a test series against Australia without Kevin Pietersen, one of your main batters, and with a bowler like Freddie [Flintoff] only three-quarters fit, it's been a huge effort and a great credit to the guys who have played in the series," he said.

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