March 22, 2006 13:47

Johnny Cash inspires England victory

The country legend is the team’s unexpected 12th man

The English cricket team have credited their recent victory over India to Johnny Cash.

The England side won their five day test match in Mumbai on March 22, to draw the current series against their Indian hosts one-all.

However despite note-worthy performances with bat and ball, the English captain Andrew Flintoff has declared that Cash was instrumental in their match-wining final day performance.

"We went in the dressing-room, had our lunch then played a bit of Johnny Cash, ‘Ring Of Fire’," the cricketer told BBC Sport. "It got the lads going and we came out afterwards with a spring in our step."

The musical choice was apparently down to swing bowler Matthew Hoggard, who provided the soundtrack for the rallying singalong.

"I'm the only guy that's sad enough to have Johnny Cash on his iPod,” said Hoggard. “We had a rousing rendition and that seemed to do the trick."

Following Cash’s musical intervention the England team went on to bowl out India, securing their victory.