The parallels are obvious… England's cricketers go into tomorrow’s final Test at the Oval needing a win to reclaim the Ashes – and needing a top performance from Andrew Flintoff – just as they did in south London four years ago.
Flintoff has come through batting and bowling practice in recent days without ill effects, working with physio Dave Roberts to give himself the best chance of a winning contribution. Admitting that his omission from England’s fourth Test line-up at Edgbaston was “touch and go”, Freddie said he was “desperate to get his name on the teamsheet”, but insisted that a series win over their biggest rivals was uppermost in his thoughts, and not the fact that his appearance at the Oval will be his last at the sport’s top level.
“It’s my last Test, but I’m not too fussed about that,” he said. “It’s more the chance to win the Ashes again."
England players and fans alike will hope for the kind of bowling that saw the 31-year-old rip through the Aussies’ lower batting order at Lord’s in the second Test, and Flintoff is confident of a return to form with both bat and ball, in what he is focusing on as a “one-off” match in every sense.
“I’m looking forward to getting going,” he added.
Add a comment
Comments