Cook takes heat off Flintoff

Alastair Cook insists Andrew Flintoff did all he could during the Ashes © Getty Images

Alastair Cook has hit back at the critics who have questioned Andrew Flintoff’s credentials to captain England.

Flintoff, who led England to a 5-0 Ashes Test series defeat, will assume control again in the Commonwealth Bank Series clash with Australia at the Gabba while Michael Vaughan recovers from a torn hamstring.

As skipper, Flintoff’s performances Down Under came under intense scrutiny in the wake of the Ashes whitewash, but opening batsman Cook insists there should be no doubts about his ability to fill Vaughan’s boots once more.

“A lot of criticism has come Freddie’s way after the Ashes but I can’t see why because it wasn’t him who made us lose the series 5-0,” said Cook, who is not part of the one-day squad.

“We just didn’t play as well as we should have done and that didn’t help Freddie.

“In fact, it couldn’t have been much harder for him but he was always leading from the front.

“As an inspirational player that he is, you couldn’t have asked much more from him.

“I thought he did very well under huge pressure. Yes, we played badly, but Australia didn’t let us play well and it’s wrong to put any sort of blame on Freddie.”

Concerns have been voiced that captaincy is one facet too many for Flintoff on top of his duties as the side’s premier all-rounder, but Cook said: “I disagree because towards the end of the Ashes series he batted very well and he bowled very well, despite having a sore ankle.

Ravi Bopara practises after joining up with the squad

“If everyone had played as well as him then we would have done better, so it’s hard to blame the failure in the Ashes on Freddie.

“I know him as a person and I know he’s determined to put things right on the pitch.

“There is no better opportunity than on Friday against Australia.

“After losing 5-0, it would be nice to turn them over and we can put up a good performance. It’s a slightly different tournament but Freddie will be determined to win.”

Ravi Bopara, Cook’s Essex team-mate, was called up to the one-day squad last week, and could feature against Australia on Friday.

“It’s great to see Ravi coming into the England fold,” added Cook.

“We’ve grown up playing together playing for Essex since the age of 13 and I wish him luck for Friday if he plays.”