Published: Oct 12, 2015, 01:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 12, 2015, 03:21 PM (IST)
Andrew Flintoff who is one of most talked about person in Australia with his stint as a commentator in KFC Big Bash League (BBL) has opened up against his arch nemesis Australia. Flintoff widely regarded as one of the best all-rounder to ever play for England has revealed that he is not a big fan of Australians aggressive verbal approach on the field. Flintoff who has been promoting his new book Second Innings, said that his over whelming success in the 2005 and 2009 Ashes series at home is what created this larger than life persona of his in the public.
He stated that some of the tactics (Sledging) done by the Australians was “just wrong”, mentioning more specifically towards the Michael Clarke incident. Michael Clarke, former Australian captain had warned James Anderson who was one of the main bowler as well as chief sledger for England that he “get ready for a broken f..ng arm” .Flintoff who will be back again as commentator in BBL for Network Ten this coming season mentioned that his colleague Adam Gilchrist and former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne were one of the most effective “sledgers” he has come up against . “I am indebted to Australians,” Flintoff said in an interview with the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper. Preview: Confident hosts look to re-enact 2012 script with new heroes
“Doing well against them changed my life. But some of the sledging is just wrong. What Michael Clarke said to Jimmy Anderson? Terrible, awful. I have said things in the past that I am embarrassed by, but they are so few that I remember them. Don’t get me wrong, the funny ones are good. Warne was good at it and Gilchrist was the best. He never shut up but was never abusive, never personal. He just said enough to put people off. Glenn McGrath, bless him, was different. He used to get frustrated with himself and swear a lot. “I loved playing the Aussies, always.”
Flintoff did admit to giving verbal sledging a try during the 2009 Ashes series towards the late Phillip Hughes in first test match, which was also his farewell test and Hughes first Ashes series. Flintoff had shared the new ball with Anderson in the first test at Lord’s. Flintoff did not get a chance to bowl at Hughes as he was dismissed in the third over. Flintoff in the second innings gave quite a welcome to Hughes with a couple of fiery deliveries following it up with verbal volleys “He (Hughes) came over with this massive reputation but I knew he was feisty so I bowled my first ball and followed it down,” Flintoff recalled.“I said, ‘Hello, I’m Fred, nice to meet you. I am going to be all over you for the next six weeks’. “Next thing, he’s almost chasing after me down the pitch, shouting at me. That was proper feisty. “But listen to the way people speak about him and that tells you everything. A lovely lad.”
Flintoff was asked to give his best combined Ashes XI from the past 10 years. Flintoff included Gilchrist, Warne and all rounder Andrew Symonds leaving out James Anderson, Michael Clarke, Stuart Broad and even the ever controversial teammate Kevin Pietersen.Flintoff’s XI (Matthew Hayden, Marcus Trescothick, Ricky Ponting, Michael Vaughan, Joe Root, Symonds, Gilchrist, Ben Stokes, Warne, McGrath, Steve Harmison) captained by Vaughan even though Flintoff shares close rapport with another BBL commentator, Ponting. “I love Ricky, but he had good players (during his tenure as skipper),” Flintoff explained of Ponting for being putting his as captain. Flintoff claimed the reason for putting Vaughan ahead of Ponting was that “Vaughany got the best out of me because he just let me be.” ALSO READ: Joe Root believes England could snatch historic Test series win against Pakistan in UAE
Flintoff who also writes about his issues with depression and alcohol in his latest book, states his reason for putting 2015 Ashes hero Ben Stokes for the role of an all rounder than himself. “I wouldn’t get in ahead of Ben Stokes,” he said. “I will be 12th man. I will organise the drinks. No alcohol, though. Just green tea.”
Flintoff made it a point to mention in detail his Viagra tablet incident. Flintoff was run out during a Test match due to apparent after-effects of taking three Viagra tablets the previous evening which greatly impacted his capacity to move. “It started with an article my ex sold to the News of the World [newspaper],” Flintoff recalled. “It wasn’t very complimentary about my ‘performance’, if you get my meaning. “So I decided I had to put that myth to bed even though I was in the middle of a Test match. “I took three Viagra one night and didn’t realise how long they lasted. Trying to bat the next day in that state was not easy. “I was run out, simply because I couldn’t move. I could only hop. It wasn’t worth it, either. Complete waste of time.”
Flintoff did include “Viagra chronicles” in his stage performances during his tour of UK in past few months. After checking on this Test record it can be seen that his only “run out” dismissal was against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford in 2002. Flintoff was run out to a Alec Stewart straight drive which was deflected on to the stumps by Chaminda Vaas. The pair in the previous Vaas over had run three but Flintoff only managed a single run this time with there being no definite evidence to prove Flintoff claims. It can be only contributed to ‘ hard luck ‘ for the batsman to get out under such circumstances.
