posted May 9, 2008

At this present time Freddie isnt an all rounder, as he can't score the runs he used to. However he is the most consistant bowler we have. So i say just pick him and get him bowling. Apart from Sidebottom we need a conistant bowler who takes wickets a key times. Fred fits the bill. I say just pick him

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posted May 9, 2008

I can't understand some of these comments.

Flintoff is the complete opposite of Jacques Kallis. Kallis is one of the best batsman in the world and he occassionally takes a few wickets. I doubt the SA selectors will leave him out later this summer if his bowling isn't quite up to snuff. Leaving out Freddie would be equally ridiculous.

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posted May 9, 2008

exactly id stick him in on his bowling alone his battings nowhere near good enough tho

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posted May 9, 2008

Theres no need to put Freedie in for the New Zealand test. That series is a chance for sum1 like bopara or shah to come in. He shud be saved for south africa when hopefully he'll have remembered how to bat

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posted May 9, 2008

I would bring him back for Lord's against NZ. People will say that this is a huge gamble on his fitness but I would have him there as part of a 5 man attack batting at 6 so his workload isn't too high. My reasoning is that
a) he's an all-rounder and he has to play as one.
b) He's now had around a month of county games (weather notwithstanding) and no reports of ankle trouble.
c) Why is his ankle going to suffer any more bowling 20 overs a day for England than it would bowling 20 overs a day for Lancs? If he's going to break down, he's going to break down.
d) NZ shouldn't really keep us in the field for 100 overs even if their stars get to work - and given one of them is McCullum - that's more likely to be a hundred in an hour, never mind a day!!!

Like everyone else, I don't want Fred back before he's fit and in form - but we have to bear in mind that this NZ side aren't going to be much sterner opponents than Fred will come across in the county game so in many ways, it's the perfect opportunity for him.

If it had been SAF first and NZ second, I'd rest him - but having missed so much and chances are he only has another 2 years to go - I'd bring him in now.

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posted May 9, 2008

I would play him and bat him at 9.
His batting hasn't been good enough for a long time even before the injury

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posted May 9, 2008

pick your best bowlers ... and that includes Fred ... it's not rocket science ..

who cares about his batting .. who else is a better bowler and part batsman ??? name one ???

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posted May 9, 2008

Flintoff just simply HAS to play. has anyone seen his recent figures? the pure intimidation of the man is underrated. His batting is poor i agree, but he shouldnt be picked for his batting. are we suggesting that Broad (who hasnt bowled too many overs or taken many wickets of late) is a better bowler than Freddy?? i think not...which means he must play....bowling 5 over spells at a time would be fine..as long as Jimmy sorts himself out, Freddy won't be relied on too much. I agree it is not a closed descision, but the bold one has to be made, and im sure Freddy is raring to go! as moon says....PICK OUR BEST BOWLERSSS!!!!

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posted May 9, 2008

i'd agree with slogger too...his batting was NOT good before the injury so he should bat at 8/9...

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posted May 9, 2008

The worry is that yet again Flintoff is called back too soon after recovering from injury. I was really shocked to realise when I read his book about the several years during which he kept going with pain-killing injections. Clearly things were not going well physique-wise even during the Ashes 2005 and he's paid a terrible price.

Clearly Freddie will lift any team because he's a fabulous team player, and a truly great cricketer; however, the writing's on the wall for him. If he breaks down again after being called back too soon, that's it. It would be a very brave selector indeed who called him up too soon.

We've got quite a few superb bowlers: nobody much is mentioning Hoggard but what about his brilliant recent performances (and he scored with the bat yesterday - far better than Freddie!). Ryan Sidebottom is also having a wonderful purple patch, and Vettori was quoted as saying he was the one the Kiwis had to try to neutralise. The need for Freddie is not as compelling as it was a couple of years ago. My hope would be that he gets his batting sorted out, gets more county overs under his belt and then when it's clear that he's as fit as may be, then pick him and watch him marmalise the opposition as only he can do.

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