Is Andrew Flintoff disinterested in batting?

[SJS]

Why do ou think that? .

Maybe because Botham says so. Kidding

It seems to be a popular idea in England that anyone who is an aggressive batsman should open particularly if he is not getting runs in his regular position.

Difficult to say whether it is because they think opening is so easy any duffer can score runs (Kalu did after all) or because they think it can only be an improvement on England's regular opener anyway

 

[Perm]

Maybe because Botham says so. Kidding

It seems to be a popular idea in England that anyone who is an aggressive batsman should open particularly if he is not getting runs in his regular position.

Difficult to say whether it is because they think opening is so easy any duffer can score runs (Kalu did after all) or because they think it can only be an improvement on England's regular opener anyway

Fair enough, the aggression would definately be there but I don't know whether he would have the technique to impliment it against the new ball. Imagine him facing Bond, Vaas or McGrath in the opening overs of an ODI, I could see him going out pretty quickly.

 

[Matt79]

Thinking about it more, maybe disinterested isn't the right word, and is unfair to Flintoff. Try substituting "utterly confused" or "lacking in intent" and it might be closer to the mark.

 

[pup11]

Utterly confused is the right word i guess for Freddie,TBH i don't think he knows what role he needs to play with bat atm.

 

[TT Boy]

According to Ian Ward on Sky, Fred has been feeling under the weather for the past week and the England team did suspect he may have glandular fever. However, supposedly and thankfully Andrew just has very sore glands and a high temperature.

 

[SJS]

Fair enough, the aggression would definately be there but I don't know whether he would have the technique to impliment it against the new ball. Imagine him facing Bond, Vaas or McGrath in the opening overs of an ODI, I could see him going out pretty quickly.

Oh yes.

I just wondered why people(Botham & co) think this way. I totally agree that an opener is a speciast and only those who CAN face the new ball should open and not those who can , if and when they connect, make better use of field restrictions.

 

[Richard]

Flintoff's always considered himself more of a batsman than a bowler, throughout his career. It's nothing new.

And no, he's not disinterested in batting - that's just something the gullible will imply from him being pretty average at it. Same with Harmison whenever he bowls rubbish.

And no, I can't see him having any success at the top of the order in ODIs.

 

[honestbharani]

yeah, can't see him consistently succeed at the top of the order but I don't think it would be such a bad idea to try it for this WC alone.

 

[Perm]

Flintoff can't handle the swing and seam that is generated in the early overs of ODI cricket, he is more suited to the middle overs where he can get himself in and then blast near the end. I do find it amusing that so many people are over-reacting to what is simply a bad run of form.

 

[simmy]

He really is a bowler these days though.

 

[Sanz]

The question that should be asked is - Is Flintoff interested in playing cricket at all ? I dont know, I dont see the Flintoff of 2005 anymore. He just looks disintersted in whatever he is doing. Giving him the captaincy was one of the biggest mistakes ECB made.

 

[Pup Clarke]

The question that should be asked is - Is Flintoff interested in playing cricket at all ? I dont know, I dont see the Flintoff of 2005 anymore. He just looks disintersted in whatever he is doing. Giving him the captaincy was one of the biggest mistakes ECB made.

The Flintoff of 2005 is never going to be replicated.It was a one off amazing performance in the ashes series.

 

[Richard]

The question that should be asked is - Is Flintoff interested in playing cricket at all ? I dont know, I dont see the Flintoff of 2005 anymore. He just looks disintersted in whatever he is doing. Giving him the captaincy was one of the biggest mistakes ECB made.

Not really, the captaincy was one of the few ways to increase the amount he cared, even if he couldn't achieve an impossible task.

And no, you don't see the Flintoff of 2005 any more - it's exceptionally unlikely we ever will again. Same way we only saw the Botham of 81 once and the Lara of 1999 once. Or any host of other top-notch players who had one day where they were better than ever.

 

[Richard]

yeah, can't see him consistently succeed at the top of the order but I don't think it would be such a bad idea to try it for this WC alone.

Bit late for that now...

 

[Richard]

Flintoff can't handle the swing and seam that is generated in the early overs of ODI cricket, he is more suited to the middle overs where he can get himself in and then blast near the end. I do find it amusing that so many people are over-reacting to what is simply a bad run of form.

Exactly, it's nothing that hasn't happened before and it has got to end somewhere. It's just unfortunate that it happened to be in the biggest tournament of them all.

Odds-and-sod's law it'll end against West Indies and he'll be accused of coming to the party too late...