Flintoff up for Ashes battle
Andrew Flintoff outlines his Ashes plans after being named captain © Getty Images
Andrew Flintoff proudly accepted the challenge of leading England’s Ashes challenge and promised to dispel all doubts about their ability to triumph in Australia this winter.
Even coach Duncan Fletcher has admitted he is less confident about England’s ability to retain the Ashes they won in such spectacular fashion last summer because of the number of injuries they have suffered since.
But, despite missing the likes of captain Michael Vaughan and pace bowler Simon Jones, Flintoff is straining at the leash to renew hostilities with Australia.
“Having experienced the emotion of the Ashes last summer, the carrot that’s been dangled in front of us is huge,” he admitted.
“The lads who were involved in that, they want to experience that again, and the lads who weren’t they want to play in it and be involved in it.
“We’ve got to go over there confident - we can’t have any fear of losing the Ashes or giving them back.
“We have to go out there and play as we did last summer, probably even better.”
The Australians are huge admirers of Flintoff's ability and huge aura © Getty Images
Flintoff, man of the series in last summer’s magnificent triumph, was named captain ahead of Strauss largely because of the aura he has now created, one of which the Australian team are wary.
Like Ian Botham before him,
28-year-old Flintoff won the respect of the Australians with his stunning displays last summer.
“It was his ability to bat, bowl and field and lead from the front,” explained chairman of selectors David Graveney.
“The Australians fear him like they fear quite a lot of our players.”
Strauss will now revert to being among the ranks after leading England impressively to a Test series triumph over Pakistan and a drawn one-day series against them while Flintoff recovered from an operation on his left ankle.
Strauss’ knowledge, though, will be utilised by Flintoff, who intends to again seek the advice of his senior players, as he did to great effect last winter when he steered England to a drawn Test series in India.
“I was very pleased and proud and excited when I was told, but Andrew Strauss has done a fantastic job over the last couple of months against Pakistan and he’s going to be someone that’s going to be very important for myself in India and Australia,” confirmed Flintoff.
“From doing the job earlier this summer, I’ve learnt a few things and I probably won’t be bowling 51 overs in an innings again like I did at Lord’s (against Sri Lanka in May), but from the bowling point of view the situation of the game will dictate when I bowl.
The selectors hope Flintoff's presence will be uplifting for his England team-mates
"It does if I’m captain or whether it was Michael or Andrew Strauss.
“I’ve learned quite a bit by doing the job and I’ve got good people around me as well.
“In India I had Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard helping me out and I’ve also got Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss, who is someone I spoke to on a regular basis and he’s a great man to have around.
“I don’t think he will feel left out or anything like that. He’s an important member of the English cricket team.”
Boosted by the selectors’ decision to give him the captaincy, Flintoff has also been lifted by his the progress he has made since surgery.
“From a fitness point of view my ankle’s getting stronger every day,” he added.
“It’s responding to everything I’m doing and the rest of my body is probably as fit as I ever have been and I’ve still got a few more weeks to top that fitness up.
“We’re going to India and I’ll have the opportunity to play out there and play in the nets, and once we get to Australia we’ve got warm-up games, so I’m not overly concerned.
“I’m not someone who needs loads and loads of cricket to feel in some sort of form.
“I’m pleased with the preparation we’ve got building up to the end of November.”
