Flintoff eyes 'fresh start'

17 July 2008

Andrew Flintoff practises in the Headingley nets ahead of the second npower Test

Andrew Flintoff reckons his return to Test cricket is a new beginning in his international career.

Flintoff, 30, could win his 68th cap in England’s second npower Test against South Africa at Headingley Carnegie.

Having gone through months of injury misery since captaining his country in the Ashes in Sydney in January 2007, his latest comeback to the international scene has left him in good heart.

“It feels a little bit like a new beginning because it has been so long,” said Flintoff, whose comeback from a fourth ankle operation was hindered recently by a six-week spell out of action with a side strain.

“For me it is almost a fresh start. A few years ago I was out for a while and then came back with some success. Hopefully I can do that again.

“I was pleased, ecstatic almost, just to get the call back in the England squad.

“If you have ever pulled on an England shirt on, that is enough to get you back out playing one-day internationals, or Test cricket.

“The excitement, the emotions of playing a Test match and walking out with the rest of the team, is enough to keep anyone going who has experienced that.

“Since Peter Moores has taken over as coach, I have not played a great deal apart from a few one-day games against India last year and a Twenty20 World Cup, so I am looking forward to playing cricket under him and with a few lads I have never played cricket with before, and just try to make a difference - be part of it all.

“I have waited a long time and there has been a lot of hard work gone into it over the past 18 months to get back into the Test squad.

Michael Vaughan and Peter Moores consider their options following the return of Flintoff

Buy this photo

“I feel good about my game, about myself and my fitness. The side strain is long gone and the ankle operation is that long ago that that is forgotten too. I am just ready to go.”

If Flintoff plays at Headingley, England must change their side for the first time in seven Tests.

Moores and skipper Michael Vaughan must consider whether to drop a batsman in order to field a five-man attack, or leave out a bowler and bat Flintoff at six or seven.

“I just want to play,” he insisted. “It might be seen as towing the line but, having been 18 months out, I just want to play.

“I wouldn’t want to be much lower (than seven) but I just want to be back in the team and play.

“I still feel the best years are ahead of me; I didn’t start bowling properly until I was probably 24 or 25.

“So on that front I am pretty new to it all and I feel I have got a better grasp of things. I have got a bit more pace but I also feel I’ve got a bit of craft with it as well.

“With the bat, I didn’t start the season too well, but over the last few weeks I feel I have been taking strides to get back to playing well.

“You see batsmen in their early 30s reach their peak, so hopefully for me it is just around the corner.”