Andrew Flintoff

[heysham_mfc]

http://www.skysports.com/cricket/ashes/ ... 93,00.html
good luck to him in the future

[George Dawes]

he's not really had much choice about it, just one thing after another, but he's still going to play the one day & 20/20 cricket as it's not as demanding physically



but what a player in 2005

[durhamshrimp]

Usual wanky sky sports coverage this afternoon, going on as if he'd died or something and asking the cretins to send in e-mails about their Flintoff memories.

[wijit]

As a test player, he is not that good. One day yes, maybe 20/20, but certainly wouldn't make my test team!

[George Dawes]

As a test player, he is not that good. One day yes, maybe 20/20, but certainly wouldn't make my test team!

well put it this way a fit Andrew Flintoff if he was a Aussie would be one of the first choices in the Australian team, the Masters of Cricket thats how well rated he is by other professionals in the game




but for injuries!.

[Plain Peter]

Usual wanky sky sports coverage this afternoon, going on as if he'd died or something and asking the cretins to send in e-mails about their Flintoff memories.

DS - I think that's twice we've agreed on something

[shrimper]

As a test player, he is not that good. One day yes, maybe 20/20, but certainly wouldn't make my test team!

Absolutely disagree.

He'd get in most world Test teams on his bowling alone. Takes wickets and is hard to score off. He's better than any of the current Australian bowlers, for example.

His ONLY issue regarding selection is fitness.

[Plain Peter]

[
He'd get in most world Test teams on his bowling alone. Takes wickets and is hard to score off. He's better than any of the current Australian bowlers, for example.

On their performance this afternoon it'd be difficult to disagree with that?
Fact is, that England perform better without Freddie than with him.
And you can't argue with facts.

[Posh]

As a test player, he is not that good. One day yes, maybe 20/20, but certainly wouldn't make my test team!

Absolutely disagree.

He'd get in most world Test teams on his bowling alone. Takes wickets and is hard to score off. He's better than any of the current Australian bowlers, for example.

His ONLY issue regarding selection is fitness.

Flintoff c Ponting b Hilfenhaus 4

[George Dawes]

point being?

[Posh]

point being?

None really. I was just reading Shrimper's post listening to TMS and the irony got me. Freddie out nibbling on a slow wicket barely troubling the scorer.

[Plain Peter]

Considering the position we were in before Cook went, I reckon it's been a poor day.
Cook was unlucky, the ball never got up.
Bopara was in slogget mode, and is never a No.3.
Pietersen was Pietersen, and was lucky to last till the tea interval.
Never saw no more, but if I was Ponting I'd be reasonably happy with the end of day.

[George Dawes]

Considering the position we were in before Cook went, I reckon it's been a poor day.
Cook was unlucky, the ball never got up.
Bopara was in slogget mode, and is never a No.3.
Pietersen was Pietersen, and was lucky to last till the tea interval.
Never saw no more, but if I was Ponting I'd be reasonably happy with the end of day.

totaly agree, id drop Bopara, and bring Bell back in the team

[wijit]

You can say what you like, facts don't lie. Look for yourself at how many tests he's been in and our win ratio with and without him. He's a bit of a talisman, but he is simply not that good. Would he get in the Aussie team? Never in a lifetime.

[RedRedWine1]

Got to say Wijit, that stat is banded about by a fair few blancmanges and to me it seems ridiculously short sighted. The stat actually relates to test matches since the 2005 ashes victory. Look at the series that Fred has missed, and those that he has been fit enough to play. From memory he has missed at least all or part of series victories against New Zealand away and Pakistan at home in 2006 alone, both whitewashes of which you'd expect nothing less. Funnily enough, he is always fit for games involving a calibre of opposition that merits his presence. The stat is most definitely flawed.

For me he has been picking and choosing which games to play in for a while, and as such I'm not that surprised by his decision given he will be 35 the next time the Aussies visit (bet Lancashire CCC big wigs are seeing pound signs in their eyes, the red rose will be seeing much more of him in the seasons that follow IPL permitting). I think he will leave a void in the team. His batting is hit and miss, but his bowling is still the best we have. He could be in the side for his bowling alone, but what he brings more than any other player is a balance to the side that I think we will struggle to replace. Broad is getting some decent runs at the bottom of the order which is a bonus, but at the end of the day he is there primarily to take wickets which he isn't doing. It is unbelievable Flintoff's class he is being questioned to be honest.

Looking forward to Edgbaston!

[shrimper]

You can say what you like, facts don't lie. Look for yourself at how many tests he's been in and our win ratio with and without him. He's a bit of a talisman, but he is simply not that good. Would he get in the Aussie team? Never in a lifetime.

He would. They love him.

He'd get in their side as a bowler and they know he is capable of a big knock as well every now and then.

He's a better bowler than any of the current crop of Aussie bowlers.

[timdahnsarf]

You can say what you like, facts don't lie. Look for yourself at how many tests he's been in and our win ratio with and without him. He's a bit of a talisman, but he is simply not that good. Would he get in the Aussie team? Never in a lifetime.

Facts don't lie, but they can cover up the truth. This just proves that we can beat West Indies and New Zealand without him, but we get beat by Australia and South Africa with him. Despite his injuries, a test career of 3000+ runs and 200+ wickets would satisfy most. True his batting has tailed off but definitely world class as a bowler

[RedRedWine1]

Mr Cricket (Mike Hussey) has just gone, Aus 111-4 (Nelson) in reply to Englands 425. Andrew Flintoff with the wicket

[morecambes_robbo]

118-5, 34 overs of the day left. looking good

[outsider]

139-6 needing 80 odd to avoid the follow on

[morecambes_robbo]

148-7 and england do look comfortable

[morecambes_robbo]

ill rephrase that, its 152-8 looks like england are going to get the follow on. amazing that sky now have Russel Crowe in the commentary box!!!

[outsider]

sky now have Russel Crowe in the commentary box!!!

Still not as funny as Tuffers and Blowers on TMS

[George Dawes]

he's well funny Tuffers just been listening to him on the commentary through the BBC iplayer

[wijit]

Redredwine and shrimper. he had a great ashes ONE year! That was it! The Aussies love him because of how good he isn't any longer.Was he that good a bowler in the first test? I'd love him to prove me wrong, he's a star! But he won't and then everyone will simply blame his knee.