Something for the "Flintoff has to start producing" merchants

[DaveGillespie]

A Flintoff, Test career Stats:

Matches: 33
Batting: 1409 runs, Ave 27.62, 3 100s, 6 50s
Bowling: 63 wkts, Ave 42.31, SR 87.9, Econ. 2.88

Last 10 Matches (last 2 matches vs SA, SL tour, WI tour)
Batting: 573 runs, Ave 38.20, 1 100, 4 50s
Bowling: 29 wkts, Ave 30.41, SR 65.0, Econ. 2.80

Last 5 Matches (last match vs SL, WI tour)
Batting: 307 runs, Ave 51.16, 1 100, 1 50
Bowling: 13 wkts, Ave 26.46, SR 55.5, Econ. 2.85


So, what do we reckon then? Bearing in mind his nightmare trot with the bat for 5 out of 6 innings in Sri Lanka, and that he didn't (unlike some, *cough*Tresco*cough*) have the benefit of a test series against Bangladesh to beef up his figures, I reckon the stats stand up. Although he's been less consistent with the bat than an average of 51.16 would suggest, his runs have come against South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies and notably have come at times when the side needed them - at the Oval to press for victory, in a vain attempt to save the match in the final test in Sri Lanka and trying to push back the follow on in Antigua. The bowling is also coming along - he's still being very economical and by all accounts is working on his grip to get some more seam/swing and as I type he's just bowled a leg-cutter in the first ODI, something I've not seen him do before.

Comments?

[Richard Jenkins]

Yes , I agree,he has really matured well. Twelve months of super cricket. Now his bowling looks good. Did Gus Frasier teah him the Leg cutter?

[Oliver]

Good stats. Well done. Just looking for a comment from Rachael now.

I feel Flintoff won't actually arrive as a Test cricketer until Rachael gives him the thumbs up.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

He's not there yet in tests but he's definatley there in ODIs.

[Rachael]

LOL - have you seen the Gower article?

[Oliver]

No. Where should I find that? Is it a thumbs up? Or a thumbs down?

Is that the elegant David Gower who before Graham Gooch's sar'nt-major-like captaincy thrilled everyone with his carefree Zorro-esque cricket?

Or the post sar'nt-major Gower who cynically fell on his epee with his inelegant left-handers retirement hoick to backward-square time and again until the axe fell?

[Rachael]

Gower article is another thread on this board...

How much did the dear man upset you in his prime? Sounds as if the answer might be "a fair bit"!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

No I can remember, alot a care free flciks towards leg that was often taken by the keeper. A shame because he was one of the most graceful players I have seen.

[Oliver]

David Gower was my favourite batsman. Graham Gooch was not.

Gower was ruined by Gooch's work ethic, and when recalled to the side in Australia he was chastised in the press and in the dressing room, for getting out to that leg-side flick caught more usually by the man posted excatly for it at deepish backward square.

Gower also brought to an end John Morris' Test career before he had a chance to start it, by famously buzzing the field during an important tour match in a Tiger Moth.
John Morris was the passenger. I believe they attacked the square, while Alan Lamb was batting, with water bombs.

I imagine Lamb laughed. I imagine the good old boys all had a good laugh.

But the sar'nt-major did not.

Gower was dropped and either Graham Thorpe or Alec Stewart's names was then cemented onto the team sheet.

I am still a huge Gower fan. He talks a huge amount of sense. But he was better than that. Gooch was looking for a reason to drop him, and he found it on that tour.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I bet that was funny. You'll not see the likes he tour high jinx like you used to. The closest now is trying to drown garath batty or use him for shark bait. Whats sadder is that its the only reason to have him on tour.