Is Flintoff an overrated batsman ?

[Salamuddin]

He averaged 20 in Pakistan, 28 in SAF last winter and 23 in Sri lanka the winter before.

That's pretty poor for a guy who bats in the top six.

He averaged 40 in this year's Ashes - but was helped by big scores in the test Mcgrath wasn't bowling (Edgbaston).

Look at his record since 2003 (the period of his improvement) and his only really decent achievment as a batsman was averaging 50+ against RSA to home.
Apart from that, he 's been very poor away from home (in the three countries aforementioned), did so-so against the Aussies at home and and has dined out on weak West Indian bowling (home and away) and very weak New Zealand bowling attack at home.

I think Freddy is a top pace bowler (in the top three in the world) but I just think his batting is overhyped - very hit and miss.

You may all respond,
Later.

Salamauddin.



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[FaaipDeOiad]

Flintoff is a frustrating batsman. He's got a lot of talent, a very good technique, and has even managed to improve pretty significantly against spin. He does however find new and inventive ways to get out for low scores, and just doesn't show enough consistency to be a regular number 6 without a strong lower order below him.

[Salamuddin]

Originally Posted by FaaipDeOiad

Flintoff is a frustrating batsman. He's got a lot of talent, a very good technique, and has even managed to improve pretty significantly against spin. He does however find new and inventive ways to get out for low scores, and just doesn't show enough consistency to be a regular number 6 without a strong lower order below him.

I actually think he doesn't have a great technique for handling spinners. He tends to play from the crease alot with "hard' hands.
On pitches where the ball grips more of the surface, he'll be found out.

I'd be surprised if the Hindustani spinners don't trouble him in March.

[luckyeddie]

Always been the case - Freddie is one of those players who is going to blow hot and cold with the bat, we're just going to have to live with the occasional frustration.

Some players are like that - Botham was similar in many ways.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

The fact that he's bowled every over from one end since the beginning of the ashes will be the death of his batting in tests.

[luckyeddie]

Originally Posted by dontcloseyoureyes

The fact that he's bowled every over from one end since the beginning of the ashes will be the death of his batting in tests.

Never mind.

We'll have Plunkett at 6 next year - then Freddie can just be a bowler.

( )

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Originally Posted by luckyeddie

Never mind.

We'll have Plunkett at 6 next year - then Freddie can just be a bowler.

( )

England's new plan of attack: Drive all our potential world class all-rounders into the ground with horrid workloads. By the time his kidneys fail and he dies in the outfield another promising player should have arisen.

[Arjun]

Originally Posted by dontcloseyoureyes

England's new plan of attack: Drive all our potential world class all-rounders into the ground with horrid workloads. By the time his kidneys fail and he dies in the outfield another promising player should have arisen.

Was that what happened to Chris Lewis, Craig White and all those all-rounders post-Botham?

[Arjun]

Anyway, all-rounders seem to work better in packs than on their own. For instance, South Africa of the late 90's and the current NZ side have played more than two all-rounders and have done rather well.

[Deja moo]

Originally Posted by Salamuddin

You may all respond,
Later.

.

Am I the only one whos thinking what I'm thinking ?

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by Arjun

Was that what happened to Chris Lewis, Craig White and all those all-rounders post-Botham?

No, they were never good enough!

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Originally Posted by marc71178

No, they were never good enough!

I think White had potential to at least be a very good ODI All-Rounder, but meh, you're right on that one anyway.

[Top_Cat]

Workload with the ball is a massive factor. Couple that with a less-than-straight technique outside off-stump (i.e. unlike more orthodox players, Freddie's head is rarely over the handle of his bat outside off-stump) and you see why his batting is suffering. I've maintained for a long time now (certainly on these boards) that he should never bat higher than 7. Mainly for workload reasons, though. No-one who bowls as much as he does in the modern era should bat as high as he does. It's just too much and as I've said before, I don't think he'll play in the next Ashes series at this rate.

[chaminda_00]

Originally Posted by dontcloseyoureyes

England's new plan of attack: Drive all our potential world class all-rounders into the ground with horrid workloads. By the time his kidneys fail and he dies in the outfield another promising player should have arisen.

Is Rikki Clarke making a comeback to the England Team?

[Buddhmaster]

I dunno. I've always, and still think Flintoff is an overrated player. I know he's a very good player, very strong bowler, puts it in the right spots. But his bowling isn't good enough for him to be named best player in the world (don't rate his batting highly). But then again, I couldn't say who is the best player in the world.