Flintoff targets trophies

6 September 2008

Andrew Flintoff hailed the positive impression made by new captain Kevin Pietersen

Andrew Flintoff believes the self-confidence of new captain Kevin Pietersen can finally end England's wait to secure a major one-day trophy.

England are the only major nation yet to win a global one-day tournament with defeats in the 1992 World Cup final and 2004 Champions Trophy final the closest they have come to ending their wait for silverware.

But after recording an emphatic 4-0 NatWest Series triumph over South Africa under Pietersen's leadership, England are being talked about as contenders on the one-day stage.

That series victory was achieved largely through Flintoff's displays after he finished as the leading wicket-taker and run-scorer, but he believes Pietersen's determination and self-belief have played a major role in England's turnaround in fortunes.

"We've got all bases covered and when you've got Luke Wright coming in to bat at number eight that's a strong line-up," Flintoff said.

"Everything is there but it's been there in the past so it's more about a mindset or a confidence thing, which I'm sure this side will get from Kevin.

"One of the big things he has passed on to the side so far is confidence. He's a confident lad and I think that's started to rub off on to quite a few of the players.

"When you see the way he goes about his business, especially towards his own game, no matter how good a player you are you can still watch and learn from that."

Flintoff believes that if the present squad remains largely intact over the coming months and years, it could develop into a real force at one-day level.

But having seen false dawns before in a career spanning 129 ODIs, he can also see possible pitfalls ahead and is reluctant to make too many outlandish predictions.

A resurgent England head to Antigua on the back of a crushing NatWest Series win over South Africa

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Flintoff continued: "Potentially, it can be a very good side. If you look at the players and the talent they've got it's all there but I'm sure England sides of the past have thought that as well.

"If we're allowed to play together over a long period of time and allowed to grow together then this side has great potential.

"I've played in three World Cups and in each one of them, a week before the tournament began England didn't know its best side and there was loads of chopping and changing.

"I'm sure if these lads are allowed to play with each other over a length of time, I think that's the way they'll develop into a really good team."

Indeed, had the Champions Trophy gone ahead in Pakistan - it was due to start next week before security concerns forced organisers to postpone it for another year - England would have been considered one of the favourites following their recent performances.

Instead, they face a trip to Antigua for the multi-million dollar match against Stanford's All Stars at the end of October followed by a seven-match one-day series in India.

"We're on a roll against South Africa and it would have been great to take that form into a tournament," Flintoff added.

"The Champions Trophy is not the biggest tournament we could win but I remember when we got to the final in England a few years ago and everyone was gutted we didn't win it, so we'll have to take that form to India now instead."