England's Ashes cricket hero Andrew Flintoff has every right to be downcast after being written off by peers and pundits alike, following a chronic knee injury that has seen him embark upon 12 months and counting of rehabilitation.
But despite being an indeterminate length of time away from his long-awaited return to the cricket field, a positive Flintoff talks about his ongoing knee problems, the forthcoming Ashes series, and his current home of Dubai in the first of a two-part interview with the all-rounder.
Former players and pundits seem to be queuing up to right your career off lately. What's the latest on the injury?
"It’s just going to take a little bit longer. I had surgery last September and some more about five months ago. It’s not through lack of trying on my part, it’s just taking a bit longer than I thought. The procedure I had sometimes doesn’t heal for 18 months, so there’s no real surprises, it’s just a bit frustrating."
It's set to be a busy summer of cricket this winter and you're reportedly lined-up to play for a number of teams, including England in the shorter forms of the game. How does the injury affect those plans?
"To be honest, we’ll see. I’m just trying to get back on a cricket field first and foremost. I haven’t played since last September and I was hoping to be playing by now, but I’m not so my first thought is just to get out there. This winter there’s a lot to aim for with different teams, but I’m a long way away from saying who I’m going to play for and when at this moment in time."
'This winter there’s a lot to aim for with different teams'
What's the immediate plan now?
"I’m going back to Dubai at the end of this month and pick up my rehab and take it from there, so as for dates when and if I’m going to be playing again I’m not sure"
How are things working out for you in Dubai?
"We moved out there last September and we’re really enjoying it. It’s been a good move both personally and professionally. The family love it and it’s a great place to bring up the kids. The kids are settled in school and we’ve not really put a timeframe on how long we’ll stay. I’m not saying we’ll stay there for the next 15 or 20 years, we’re just enjoying being there at the moment. There’s quite a big ex-pat community in Dubai. The population is quite diverse. There’s a lot of English, Asians, South Africans and Australians so it’s a great experience for the kids at school in that sort of environment."
There's been a lot of speculation about England batsmen in poor form, particularly Alastair Cook. What are your thoughts on that?
"Cooky’s a fine player. Players have dips in form every so often. I bet he still averages over 40 in Test cricket even after a bad patch. Cooky will be fine I’m sure. It’s a good England side at the moment." [Cook has gone on to score a century against Pakistan today - his first on home soil this year].
'Cooky will be fine I’m sure'
If you were picking the team, what changes would you make if any?
"I’d like to see England play one more bowler. When England have had their successes over the years they’ve played five bowlers. I think what’s going to be required in Australia this winter is some pace. When the ball doesn’t swing as much you need pace or a left-armer like Ryan Sidebottom.
"You’ve got to back your five batters and your keeper to score runs and then the likes of Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann to score runs regularly as well. I'd think about someone like Tim Bresnan, who scores runs as well and is a fine player and I’d also go with someone like Sidebottom, a left-armer, who creates a natural angle. I think we need something different in the attack, whether it be a left-armer or out and out pace. At the moment I think we’re lacking in that department.
"When we’ve performed well over the past few years we’ve had someone like a Simon Jones or a Steve Harmison or a Darren Gough, so I’d like to see that type of player, someone who swings it or reverses the ball with pace. I’m not really in touch with the scene and who’s around, but there seems to be a wealth of young talent coming through."
You'd bring Harmison back for the Ashes?
"I think he’s a bit out of favour with the England selectors at the moment, but if you ask batsmen around the world who they don’t like facing, the answer will be Steve Harmison."
'I reckon the star will be Kevin Pietersen'
Who do you think the stars of this upcoming Ashes series will be?
"I reckon the star will be Kevin Pietersen. I think he’ll return to form in Australia. We need him scoring runs if we have any thoughts of winning, so I would say KP. I also think Swanny will perform well, but I think Jimmy Anderson will surprise a few people as well. I think he’s a far more skilful and better bowler than he was last time he went over to Australia and we’re seeing him at the moment performing well."
A lot of observers have doubts over Anderson’s ability to bowl as well in Australian conditions as he does here. You would disagree with that?
"Yeah, I would. Jimmy’s skilful enough and good enough to able to adapt to different conditions. Everyone’s talking about the difference between the Duke and Kookaburra balls but it’s a little round, red ball isn’t it? You just need to put it in the right place and Jimmy’s got the skills to do it, but he’s going to need some help and that’s why we need to throw in an out and out quick bowler or a left-armer to help Jimmy out. Hopefully Sidebottom will be back on the scene in the winter – he’s a fine bowler."
Check back into redbull.com next week for part two of our interview with Andrew Flintoff. In the meantime, for more cricket action check out our Ball Sports page.
Comments
Add a comment