Yes, that has just been confirmed: Flintoff will not be considered for the captaincy during the world cup. However, Strauss is not in the frame either as he is not on the tour. Presumably that puts Collingwood in the vice captaincy seat.

BBC report here.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

I don't think so. There would have been some story to the press as to how Flintoff had slipped and fallen into the water while out on his early morning jog to keep fit for the Oz match. The tabloids would have gone on to describe how "their brave lad" had clung on to a passing Pedalo while waiting to be rescued. Flintoff might even have ended up with another gong.

Lets get it right!

Flintoff had come home 'early' from the drinking - he was hot and on his own in the hotel, he went on a Pedalo 'alone', he called out to a lifeguard for assistance, end of story.
Members of the England management were also out on that binge.

Question is why Flintoff was banned for a day - been removed as Vice Captain for (this) series, while in a seperate incident it seems, Anderson Plunkett Lewis Ian Bell got of with a fine.

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Ern

Ern, sorry, mate: that is not the end of the story. Not as long as there is a newspaper publisher alive in Fleet Street (or wherever they are now). This one, as they say, has legs. It will still be in the papers tomorrow, like it or like it not. There may be some answers to the questions later today: Vaughan told Atherton at the toss today that he would not talk about the incident until after the game. I think you can be sure that the journalists will be following up on that comment with both Vaughan and Fletcher in about three and a half hours or so.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

I don't know. Depending on what caused Bob Woolmer's unconsciouness, Flintoff story may well sink into the background.

Agreed - I meant the 'real' end of the story.

We are told Flintoff has been disciplined before, well if he had - I am sure the players would have found out.

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Ern

No question that these are stories of different magnitude. Bob Woolmer has died this afternoon. I'd rather that we avoided inappropriate speculation on the board, though I should not be surprised to see some speculation in tomorrow's papers, sadly.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

Right well Flintoff could have drowned out there??? is that fun and letting of pressure for you guys as well???

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I agree OF - we should wait for the official reason.

Back on topic - even though it could be argued that Flintoff was way out of order, to fine him, to sack him for this series as vice captain, then suspend him also - seems a bit harsh.

As I type OF I am listening to speculation on TMS that Flintoff's behavour in the one day series in Australia had a lot to be desired (not the Ashes).

Take your paper, your TV station - your radio station, and you still won't know the truth.

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Ern

I hope Faisel That people will take heed - and cut the length of tours for the players, Flintoff and most of the team has been away from home sinse last November, any wonder they they get out of hand at times.

A seperate one day side would cut the amount of touring, I would not like away from home for 6 months.

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Ern