| With Englands Ashes failure still a horrible thorn in | | | | in the field (who wouldnt be after being constantly |
| most English cricket fans memory the excuses and | | | | let down by both his bowlers and batsman alike) this |
| reasons why the tour was a miserable failure are | | | | must have had a serious effect on his own |
| now only just starting to surface. Ex England players, | | | | concentration and confidence levels when trudging |
| respected media men and the ordinary cricket | | | | out to bat. |
| supporter in the street have voiced there own | | | | In 2005 when England won back the Ashes since |
| opinion on why the Australian outfit thrashed a sorry | | | | 1986-7 Flintoff was the main catalyst for the |
| looking England team. | | | | triumphant England team. In other sports such as |
| One school of thought that has started to come to | | | | football such key players are often rested in order to |
| light was Englands batting order. With most of the | | | | protect form and to prevent injuries. In cricket, this is |
| top 5 hopelessly out of form apart from the world | | | | not the case, especially for a losing team where |
| class Kevin Pietersen many cricket fans were hoping | | | | everyone is dependent on the best players. If you |
| that Andrew Flintoff would come to the party. Sadly | | | | compare Flintoff to other number 6 batsman in world |
| this did not materialise. Lets make one thing clear in | | | | cricket he is somewhere in the middle. The problem |
| defence of the champion English all rounder, his | | | | England has is the frailty of the tail end batsmen and |
| fitness. Flintoff has had serious ankle problems for | | | | the inconsistency of the top order. Other test teams |
| some time now and with a serious bowling workload | | | | like India and South Africa have a very strong lower |
| expected from him over the 5 tests and the | | | | order which often fires and adds an extra 50 to 100 |
| marathon one day series surely something had to | | | | runs. This is often crucial in test matches and can |
| give. | | | | quickly change the momentum of a cricket match. |
| It did of course, and it was his batting. Consistent | | | | Only time will tell if Flintoff will succeed at test level |
| low scores and looking totally lost at sea when facing | | | | batting at number six, infact with coach Duncan |
| quality seam and spin bowling resulted in the | | | | Fletcher under serious pressure a change in coach |
| Lancashire all rounder failing miserably. By the end of | | | | might be on the cards before the Cricket World Cup, |
| series there have been big question marks on | | | | that being the case the decision to change the |
| whether Flintoff has the talent and technique to be | | | | batting line up might be quicker than first thought. |
| successful at the pivotal number 6 batting position | | | | Many cricket fans will hope the charismatic Flintoff will |
| for his country. | | | | shine in the World Cup and dominate the bowling |
| With Michael Vaughn now recovering from serious | | | | batting at number six, if not at least you know that |
| injury and looking to force his way back into the | | | | you will be guaranteed 100 per cent effort from |
| team, the burden of captaincy should now be taken | | | | Andrew Flintoff in whatever position he bats. |
| away from Flintoff. Often looking tired and dejected | | | | |