Experience aids England

Andrew Flintoff took heart from England's gritty performance in Brisbane © Getty Images

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Captain Andrew Flintoff praised the influence of England’s new old boys after a fighting display against Australia at the Gabba.

Although Flintoff’s losing streak as leader this winter continued in battles with the Aussies, his return to the helm - in the absence of the injured Michael Vaughan - coincided with a spirited performance in the field.

England were thankful to debutant Mal Loye’s 36, at a run a ball, in getting them to a modest 155 after Flintoff had won the toss.

Despite chances of victory being seemingly slim at the halfway stage, another 30-something wicket-keeper Paul Nixon’s constant chirping kept his side enthused in the field.

“Mal came in against Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken and played like he’s always been here,” said Flintoff - Loye’s county team-mate - following Saturday’s four-wicket loss.

“His innings was outstanding. At Lancashire he is highly rated. He’s scored a lot of runs in one-day cricket for us.

“He has his own method of playing; everyone harps on about his sweep shot but there is more to his game.”

Nevertheless, the one shot which stood out in the entire match came in the fifth over when 34-year-old Loye dropped to one knee and astonished the 38,000 crowd by helping a 90mph Lee delivery over the rope at long-leg.

“That was an unbelievable stroke,” said Adam Gilchrist, deputising for Ricky Ponting as captain in his his 250th one-day international.

“He’s obviously got a plan - it’s an unorthodox plan - and it came off for him.

Mal Loye unfurls his trademark sweep shot against paceman Brett Lee © Getty Images

“He added a little bit of firepower at the top. That’s encouraging for him - it’s whether you have the conviction over a long period of time to keep playing that way.”

After guiding Australia home once more, Michael Hussey claimed Nixon’s verbals inspired him to see things through to the end.

Leicestershire wicket-keeper Nixon certainly let his feelings be known when Hussey, on 19, apparently nicked behind off the outstanding James Anderson.

That would have left the hosts 103 for six - still 53 runs short of their target - but umpire Daryl Harper turned the appeal down and Hussey stood his ground.

“I don’t know what Mike Hussey takes from it, but from our point of view he [Nixon] gives the team energy,” said Flintoff.

“He’s great behind the stumps - he’s non-stop. I don’t know what he’s like when he’s on his own!

“Both in the dressing room and on the field, he has been great, and I hope he’s going to have a future with us.”

England have shown promising signs against Australia, either side of beating New Zealand in this Commonwealth Bank Series.

After they had batted as a unit in the tournament opener in Melbourne, it was the new-ball bowling of Jon Lewis, who claimed four wickets, and Anderson who caught the eye this time.

“It would be nice now to put the two disciplines together in the same game,” admitted Flintoff. “If we can get the two together it will be great.”