Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell has asked England to take prompt from the Bodyline series and talk into all-rounder Andrew Flintoff to come out of Test retirement if they desire to win the Ashes later this year.
After watching Ricky Ponting's struggle against the short balls since last one year, Chappell believes Andrew Strauss should use Flintoff the similar way former England captain Douglas Jardine had utilized Harold Larwood to remove Don Bradman in the infamous bodyline series of 1932-33.
"Jardine was quick to realise that you need good fast bowling to win in Australia. Jardine not only provided Larwood with a blueprint for unsettling Bradman, he also made sure he had plenty of fast bowling back-up. England currently have a flexible attack but the one thing they lack is a man with the speed, accuracy and aura to shake up good batsmen on bouncy Australian pitches," said Chappell.
"The one England bowler with those testimonial is Flintoff. Strauss would be wise to advise Flintoff that if he's fit, he'd like him in the touring party, even if it's just for two or three specific Tests," Chappell said.
Flintoff retired Test cricket after England's Ashes win last year but he is now gearing up to make a first-class comeback with Lancashire after going under the knife to fix his knee problems.
After watching Ricky Ponting's struggle against the short balls since last one year, Chappell believes Andrew Strauss should use Flintoff the similar way former England captain Douglas Jardine had utilized Harold Larwood to remove Don Bradman in the infamous bodyline series of 1932-33."Jardine was quick to realise that you need good fast bowling to win in Australia. Jardine not only provided Larwood with a blueprint for unsettling Bradman, he also made sure he had plenty of fast bowling back-up. England currently have a flexible attack but the one thing they lack is a man with the speed, accuracy and aura to shake up good batsmen on bouncy Australian pitches," said Chappell.
"The one England bowler with those testimonial is Flintoff. Strauss would be wise to advise Flintoff that if he's fit, he'd like him in the touring party, even if it's just for two or three specific Tests," Chappell said.
Flintoff retired Test cricket after England's Ashes win last year but he is now gearing up to make a first-class comeback with Lancashire after going under the knife to fix his knee problems.
I can see where Ian Chapple is coming from, but I can't see it happening.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe for a minute that Strauss and Flower would even contemplate the idea.
For a start off, would it not undermine the rest of the bowlers if Flintoff was brought back just because he can bowl bouncers better than Stuart Broad?
The squad look to have a good feel about it, they look like they are a together unit, would bringing back a big personality like Flintoff unsettle some of the players?
Maybe, and with issues over his fitness as well I can't see it happening.
I missed that cricket match for my busy schedule!
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