BBC - "Flintoff shines on bowling return"

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by BBC

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff continued his recuperation with an eventful performance with bat and ball as Lancashire thrashed Sussex in Dubai. Having hit a six and two fours before being stumped for 15, he then bowled at a lively pace and captured 2-9.
The 30-year-old, bowling in a match for the first time since his fourth ankle operation last autumn, took two wickets in four balls in his second over.
Flintoff bowled five overs in total as his team recorded a 109-run victory.
Flintoff batted at number five when Lancashire won the toss in the Pro Arabian Cricket Challenge, which was delayed 10 minutes after their bus broke down en route.
He got off the mark by striking a straight six with a free hit off Luke Wright, and then drove the next two balls down the ground for four.
But 20-year-old left-arm spinner Tom Smith lured him out of his crease and he was smartly stumped by Sussex wicket-keeper Andrew Hodd.
Smith also dismissed Lancashire skipper Stuart Law and captured three wickets.
Flintoff, who last bowled in a competitive match in the ICC World Twenty20 Championship against India at Durban on 19 September, was brought into the attack in the ninth over of the Sussex reply.
The county champions were already in deep trouble at 18-2 in search of 247 and Flintoff soon added to their problems.
He conceded six runs in his opening over but then produced a double wicket maiden.
Having had a confident appeal for lbw rejected, Flintoff dismissed Chris Nash next ball and then bowled Ben Brown with a full delivery.
After bowling three overs for seven runs he was taken off, before returning for a second spell later in the innings with Sussex 117-8, although he was unable to add to his tally.
Skipper Chris Adams was the only Sussex batsman to get amongst the runs, scoring 49 before he was the penultimate wicket to fall, bowled by Sajid Mahmood.
Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson was happy with the progress of his talisman Flintoff.
"I suppose he's bowling at 70% at the moment - he's not supposed to be anything like 100% - but his rhythm is good, his confidence is good and it all looks fluid," he said.
"This is his first pre-season for a while. Everything has been full match intensity all the time in previous comebacks.
"The thing that helps here is that he's not building up to anything in particular - there's no deadline.
"We're just looking to play him as an all-rounder in our first County Championship match this season and then let's build on that."

I just hope that England don't rush him back and it all goes pear shaped again. However his batting is still looking like a worry.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

However his batting is still looking like a worry.

Thats a bit harsh SS. He hasn't had a good bat for a while and he was batting in a one day match so things are a bit different.

However, like you I do worry about his long term health. Several coaches have recommended he changes his action to take the stress from his ankle and he seems unwilling to do so. I feel as soon as he put 20 overs flat out though his ankle it will go again

[greg]

I wouldn't be too fussed if he missed the New Zealand home series and gradually built himself up to be ready for South Africa which is the tougher of the two series we have.I just hope to god he stays fit this time and he isn't pointlessly rushed for a one day series that doesn't matter.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by greg

I wouldn't be too fussed if he missed the New Zealand home series ....

...he isn't pointlessly rushed for a one day series that doesn't matter.

I agree. In future I think we have to carefully manage his workload if he is to play test cricket.

[acker]

Originally Posted by greg

I wouldn't be too fussed if he missed the New Zealand home series and gradually built himself up to be ready for South Africa which is the tougher of the two series we have.I just hope to god he stays fit this time and he isn't pointlessly rushed for a one day series that doesn't matter.

Honestly Greg

I think you are over estimating how much some of these cricketers actualy do.

The big names tend to like their creature comforts such as casino's, fast women, fast cars, late start's and a fat fast lifestyle more than they like dietician's, gymnasium's, running tracks and early start's.

Not to mention "nightclub's"

IMHO a fair bit of it basically comes down to how much off feild fitness preparation the individual player is prepared to put in.

And I dont think "ex Captain Freddie Fetlock" likes to put in a hell of a lot.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

Thats a bit harsh SS. He hasn't had a good bat for a while and he was batting in a one day match so things are a bit different.

His batting has been poor since the Ashes 2006.


In my opinion, he needs to turn out for Lancashire for a little while before coming back to the England squad.

[pie_chucker]

It was OK in India, but yes, since then its been poor. But Flintoff has hardly been fit since then so hasn't had the chance to build up form.

I agree it would be worthwhile Freddie playing the early part of the season for Lancs to spend time in the middle and hopefully get himself into form with the bat.

England being England though will rush him back and by the time the SA series comes round Flintoff will be on the sidelines waiting for another ankle op

[jumpy]

Problem with this. Flintoffs batting problems are due to being constantly out for months. A string of games is needed to play well. Not suddenly turning up for an Ashes or World cup. A full season now and Flintoff will be doing super stuff again.

[jumpy]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

His batting has been poor since the Ashes 2006.


In my opinion, he needs to turn out for Lancashire for a little while before coming back to the England squad.

I think they've learnt there lesson now. Blatently, Flintoffs problems have been constantly expecting miracles while coming back from injury.