Flintoff's career is difficult to judge. He had a terrible start a brilliant couple of years and it looks now injured.
Where as you look at Imran, Hadlee etc theirs took a different route. They started promising developed into great players with some bad periods and than their bowling declined.
Flintoff is better compared with injury hit Chris Crains.

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"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

The way he hobbled about today and bowled at half pace and the fact he didn't even bowl his full 4 overs tells me he is in serious discomfort and if he can't manage to play a full role in a 20Twenty game what hope has he got of doing it in a 50 over match or even a test match.

It was a sorry sight and one i doubt we will see in an England shirt for much longer.

I think it is high time that Flintoff thinks of himself for a change. Even if everything went well for him, he has 5 more years of cricket left at most, while his ankle will be with him for the rest of his life. I think he has played way too often while not totally ready. There was no way he could have turned and made it back safely to the crease today, he knew it and so did not try too hard.

As a GP, I have seen big guys with ankle and knee sports injuries sustained in their youth causing them considerable discomfort later in life. As I have said before, the ankle takes significant stress in a guy Flintoff's size.

I think he came back too soon after his operation and should have had at least three months off. England are still not admitting that it is a problem and think they can manage it. Poor Fred is having to have painkillers every day. After struggling with 3 or 4 over spells in South Africa he might as well go home and have and have the winter off.

Jack Bannister just said on radio that Flintoff is out of the one day series in Sri Lanka.

Commonsense has prevailed then.

Well that wouldn't be my choice of phrase Greg. Personally I'd go with months (well years) of medical and selectorial incompetence leaves the England selectors with no other viable option .

Now the only real question is will he be left out of the test squad and given 2-3 months off to properly recouperate before the NZ part of the winter. Or will he be taken to Sri Lanka half fit limp his way through the first couple of warm up games before being ruled out on the eve of the first test, miss the rest of the series before being ruled out of the NZ tour. I know where my money is .

Graveney is still keeping his job on the basis of what exactly? His charismatic personality?

Off course you are right greg, but this is going to happen every year it would seem, his bad batting form in the ashes 2006, was down to lack of match practice due to injury.
If he keeps having to take time off, when of if he ever gets match fit - he will be to old to be the potent bowler he is.

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Ern

Now reported that Flintoff may not be fit for New Zealand in February - though it's not attributed to a named source. In any event, I wonder if he might not be finished by this.

Cricinfo - Flintoff's tour doubts grow

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

I think you are right OF,if it is to be the end it is very sad but i'd rather that than him carrying on as a pale shadow of the player he was like Botham did for so many years.

I have just read on BBC sports news that Freddie has had another injury to his ankle and will be out till 2008.

He is one of THE best all rounders in the world and it would be a massive shame if he has to stop playing, he can wizz the ball in, fling the bat around.

Truely brilliant player!

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