Flintoff to be captain

[Crunchy]

If Vaughan doesnt recover. In my opinion he is the perfect choice if Fletcher thinks he can handle it with his workload. I know alot of people will be against it because he's working class and they want a toff leading England such as Strauss.

[Vrock]

I think Flintoff is a very good choice for one game but not permanently. I think if he became captain we could see a second Botham and Freddie could lose his sting. Maybe for one game or this series but long term I think it would be better if he did not captain England.

[Ernest]

Just maybe if he was Captain for the 1st two Tests in India - it could,

1)Be a Test of his man handling.

2)Could bring him back batting wise, realising he should lead by example drom the front, I don't think anyone is as senior in the England set up who could do the job.

[Vrock]

I agree that the added responsibility upon himself could make him bat better and take his time at the crease.

Would he be a bit reluctant to bowl himself or could he maybe get a little apprehensive and start bowling himself too much?

[Ernest]

No I think he would carry on as usual, as England have not been bad in the bowling department, and Blackwell seems to be bowling better at last.

[freddie flintoff 142]

not sure on this, personally strauss for me, he's had captaincy experience and flintoff is struggling some what with the bat at the mo, too much on his plate, but on the other hand he mite do a gooch or gower and improve even more, or could do a botham. I know it would be for only 1 test but its an important series, and if strauss failed because of the weight of the captancy, at least it wouldnt be bowling and batting lost.

Hopefully vaughany will be fit and tresco will be alrite to come back

[Vrock]

We can only hope for the best. But whoever Fletch chooses I hope they can do well and at least give England some hope with an inspired performance.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by freddie flintoff 142

at least it wouldnt be bowling and batting lost.

That's true, picking Flinoff temporary could be "inspired" - or a "disaster".

Problem with picking Strauss, how would Flintoff react, he is his senior by far?.

[freddie flintoff 142]

personally i think freddie would rather not be picked and just carry on with what he is doing, could be wrong tho

[Mongoose]

I think Flintoff would be a decent captain. He's a natural leader, and is often the one keeping the players' spirits up when things are tough. He also thinks more about his cricket than many people give him credit for. Because he's big and strong, and has a strong Lancashire accent, people assume he's all brawn and no brain. But he often gives intelligent observations in interviews, and he has bags of experience to go with it too.

The problem I can see with giving Flintoff the captaincy is that he is already overworked in the England test team. He bowls more than he should, considering he's a top 6 batsman. He has often been visibly exhausted at the end of matches, and adding the mental pressure of captaining the side, while bowling and batting as well, is too much to ask of him. If Vaughan is injured, with no Tres available, Strauss is the only other guy who looks like he could captain the team. Not ideal, considering the effort he must be putting into sorting out his batting problems, but then not much about England's winter has been ideal so far. And remember, Freddie's going home after the second test.