If you believe the majority of people looking ahead to next month’s
Ashes series(http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/ashes-2009-pom-baiting-begins-010609.html), it appears that England’s hopes rest on the fitness of Andrew Flintoff. If Andrew Strauss’ men are to regain the urn, they needed the Lancashire all-rounder completely injury free.
Back in 2005, Flintoff was the difference between the two sides and as much as he hasn’t been the same player since, he is still extremely important to this England team. His inclusion not only helps the balance of the side, but it adds an extra dimension to it.
Flintoff is the man that Strauss can turn to with the ball and he is the man that can inspire the rest of the team to perform against Australia. All in all, it is fair to say that England’s chances ofwinning the Ashes (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/ashes-betting-the-name-is-buchanan-john-buchanan-160609.html) are greatly improved with Flintoff in the team.
Lancashire coach Peter Moores agrees with this by saying that Flintoff ‘would make my England team’ because Strauss and co are going to ‘need experienced men like Freddie’ if they are to overcome the Aussies.
As for the situation with his fitness, Moores describes how it is ‘all about progression’ for Flintoff at the moment. He is ‘physically
strong’ according to the former England coach though and his form is ‘looking good’ as well.
This is a crucial part to Flintoff’s involvement. He needs to get some cricket under his belt before the biggest test series of them all. He could still make an impact if he came straight from the treatment room to the first test, but his form and fitness would be uncertain.
At this moment in time, Flintoff is fit and playing cricket which is fantastic news for England and bad news for Australia. If he manages to stay injury-free for the remainer of the summer (and this is a big IF), there is no doubt that he can be the difference between the two sides once again.
By Thomas Rooney
Thomas is a professional cricket writer for Betfair on everything to do with International cricket. England and Essex are his two favourite teams and he watches them both regularly. Cricket is the best sport in the world and Thomas loves the fact that part of his job is to write about it.
[...] admin wrote an interesting post today onFormer England coach backs Flintoff for AshesHere’s a quick excerpt [...]