OK thanks for that Rachael.

Gower's views are indeed balanced.

And he is obviously as we all know, a well educated and intelligent man, but this worries me:

"Every time I try to assess Freddie it does not help that I look across a commentary box, catch sight of Ian Botham, and the instant comparison inevitably leaves one wondering if the current candidate will ever be able to challenge the achievements of one of the true greats."

David Gower is about to fall into the Freddie Truemen school of commentary. He must come back from the brink. Surely he will realise that it is not true to say that in his youth every summer was more golden than it is now. All the players he ever played with were better than those around today. The beer tasted more like beer and the champagne tasted more like champagne. The strawberries...the cream...the nectar...

David you have retired. Flintoff is a maturing newish chap on the block. He is not in Botham's class as a bowler, he is not in Botham's class as a batsman.

He IS the best we have at doing both of those things at Test level. AND he is still improving. By the time Botham had 2000 runs and 200 wickets his form had started to fall away.

I believe that in the current climate; coaches, dieticians, fitness instructors, central contracts, it will be less likely that Flintoff's form will fall away in that Botham like manner.

Certainly Flintoff will be kept apart from a man in a ridiculously striped jacket with intentions of making him big in Hollywood, and if the powers that be are sensible Flintoff will be kept out of the pub and away from late night curry sessions.

In short Flintoff should stay fitter longer than Botham...and it is therefore possible that his improvement arc will cross over with Botham's arc of descent as they age comparably.

Not quite sure if that last bit makes sense, but you should be able to see what I'm on about.

Admin - Link to original thread in the England forum: Gower on Flintoff