Daily Mail - "Flintoff to lead Ashes defence"

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by The Daily Mail

Andrew Flintoff will captain England's defence of the Ashes in Australia this winter - as long as he is fit to play some part in the ICC Champions Trophy in India this October....

.. But for Flintoff to be put in charge, he must be fit enough to play some part in the one day Champions Trophy in less than two months - even if only as a specialist batsman..

..Flintoff who had an operation on his ankle on on July 28, claimed last week he is certain of being fit for the Ashes.

It seems that Strauss is not going to captain the England side after all...

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

It seems that Strauss is not going to captain the England side after all...

Good thread speedboy getting us away from what has happened in todays Test, at last some cricket to talk about.

I think it's right that Flintoff should captain England if he is fit Strauss was only a stand in captain while Flintoff was injured, as Flintoff was only a stand in for Vaughan ( so they say) .
It's going to be a great series no matter who the captain will be, I think the aggression of Flintoff is right against a like minded Aussie team.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Good thread speedboy getting us away from what has happened in todays Test, at last some cricket to talk about.

Well Ernest, I thought my Sally inspired David Lloyd thread would sort out the gloom but I thought an actual cricket thread would work (I was going to post it anyway)...

Personally I don't think Flintoff leading the side out against the Australians is such a fantastic idea, because I don't think Flintoff is that a great captain, I think his role as a big hitting batsmen, wicket taking bowler and captain is too much, I mean comparisons to Botham will be made, but personally I think Strauss is a much stronger captain, especially his better use of the spin option (Panesar), and his field settings.. but hey, Fletcher is probably there for a reason and that's why I'm at home talking on a cricket forum!

[Ernest]

I was impressed Speedboy with Flintoff as captain in India, also I thought his form did not suffer until he was injured which had nothing to do with being captain.
Botham was different - he was way to friendly with the opposition, also he was a players captain - and it showed.

[Speedboy Salesman]

I agree with Flintoff in India... I didn't like the Sri Lankan series though. But don't you think there is too much pressure on old Fred with being batsmen, bowler and captain? I mean Sri Lanka and India are one thing, but the Australians, on their own turf and the Ashes at stake, it's a lot of pressure on a single man! I mean Flintoff had the Australians on the ropes last year, but he also had Simon Jones to help him, now Jones is out as well, people will look to Flintoff to deliver the goods again. Harmison is misfiring, Hoggard is competent but can be expensive, Jones is out and is Giles, and Mahmood, Plunkett and Panesar are all young guns. That's my point: It's a lot of one man to bear.

[Vrock]

I have to agree with Speedboy on this one: Strauss is proving that captaincy is not affecting his batting form which is where Vaughan always had his doubters. I'm not saying that Flintoff dipped in form (at least not for captaincy reasons anyway) but, as Speedboy pointed out, the work-load on his is far greater now.

England would a more effective bowling attack if Strauss was captain. Although Flintoff, as a captain, would probably inspire the bowlers to perform better than Strauss would but I think he can provide more than just inspiration by just being a player and concentrating on taking wickets. He's always there as senior player for Strauss to turn to, just like Trescothick, so we still get the tactical side of Freddie in the mix.

We'll find out on the 12th September, that is the official date the ECB will announce who is captain.

[Speedboy Salesman]

I expect the ECB will announce Flintoff as captain.. I think they see Strauss as a "stand in for a stand in" and they could possibly think Flintoff would be offended if he came back and wasn't slotted straight back into the captain role. I'm not sure if Flintoff actually would be offended if he didn't come back and he wasn't captain, but personally I would prefer Strauss, because piling up responsibility on Flintoff just because he's the most famous cricketer in England at the moment is not way forward.

[greg]

I want Strauss as captain as we know it hasn't done his own form any harm and the burden on Flintoff might end up too great.Nothing against Flintoff i just think Strauss would be a better choice for the team.

[Speedboy Salesman]

I think greg quite a few people on here would want Strauss as captain, but it isn't up to us is it?! I still think when the squad is announced you'll see at the top - "Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire, capt)"

[Quagmire]

I’m surprised Flintoff has been named captain (if he meet the criteria) Strauss has done well in my opinion, Flintoff has too much work to do as it is yet alone coming back from injury having the bowl, bat and captain. Way too much un needed pressure where Strauss has done a good job and is simply a batsman.