Share

Flintoff tips England to win

London - Andrew Flintoff believes England can do something that proved beyond him and win the Ashes in Australia.

The former all-rounder was England's captain in 2006 when, as now, they arrived in Australia as Ashes-holders following a closely fought series back at home.

But hopes Flintoff's men would become the first England team to win an Ashes series 'Down Under' since Mike Gatting's side back in 1986/87 quickly turned to dust, with Aussie bowling greats Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne enjoying a fairytale farewell to Test cricket in a 5-0 thrashing of 'The Poms'.

However, with the likes of Australia openers Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer and star wicketkeeper/batsman Adam Gilchrist also no longer on the scene, Flintoff reckons an increasingly settled England side under the leadership of Andrew Strauss could have the edge.

"Australia are going through something of a transition and I just think England are the stronger of the two sides," Flintoff, speaking in a telephone interview from Dubai where he'd been the 18th man aboard Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton Trophy sailing race, told AFP.

"Someone like James Anderson is a much more experienced bowler now," added Flintoff of his former Lancashire and England seam bowling colleague.

"Kevin Pietersen is one of the world's best players and England have got a good captain in Andrew Strauss as well," the 2005 Ashes hero explained.

"They (Australia) will be hard to beat. You can throw the formbook out the window," said pace-bowling all-rounder Flintoff who in September finally admitted defeat in his struggle against a knee injury and retired from all cricket, having quit Tests after helping England regain the Ashes in 2009.

Flintoff is now forging a broadcasting career but unlike recent ex-England captains Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan, the 32-year-old Lancastrian has deliberately stayed away from television cricket commentary.

"I have been shooting programmes about extreme sport for ITV (a British terrestrial channel). I've been bull-running in Mexico and gone on the skeleton at Whistler."

Flintoff added: "I've also been making 'A League of Their Own' (a light-hearted sports quiz show for satellite television station Sky). I enjoy challenging myself in different directions."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE