This week, Andrew Flintoff’s Lancashire slumped to a miserable, almost unthinkable, two-run defeat at the hands of cricketing minnows Scotland. 

Scoring only eight runs with the bat will not have helped the imposing all-rounder who recently suffered his fourth operation to mend his troublesome body.  Freddie can hit the ball harder than most top order batsmen, and has the ability to bowl consistently at 90 mph, combined with the use of reverse swing, and be deadly accurate while doing so.

But there is still doubt that he may even be picked for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.

' . . . there is still doubt that he may even be picked for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand'


In the late 90s, Flintoff made headlines for all the right and wrong reasons, being captain of the England youth team, culminating in an impressive Test debut in 1998.  His country form was intermittent and many remarked that Freddie was either explosive or imploding – with his inconsistency affecting his early promise.

In 2000 David Gower explained Flintoff’s brilliant century against Surrey as “one of the most awesome innings you would see on a cricket pitch” – but still the controversies continued with England management lambasting the Lancastrian's  fitness and weight. 

With back problems plaguing his early progress, he was sent to Rod Marsh’s ECB academy with a clear message that it could be his last chance.  He was called to tour India, but was average on the turning decks of the subcontinent.  He had a very strong 2002, but the big man was overworked and underwent a hernia operation before the 2003 World Cup.

It was during this year that the comparisons with Ian Botham began, following a sterling series against the South Africans and Flintoff began to excel as a genuine frontline bowling option on the bouncy tracks of the Caribbean. 

This led to him being named in early 2004 as a Wisden Cricketer of the year.  At the close of the season he was named as the inaugural ICC One-day Player of the Year and the Professional Cricketers Association Player of the Year.  It was this momentum that readied him for the zenith of his burgeoning entrance into the cricketing pantheon.

In 2005 the mighty Australians arrived in England, arrogant as always and ready to continue inflicting embarrassment on the pride of England.  Flintoff effectively won the second test at Edgbaston to bring England back to the series with a Man of the Match performance.  A century followed at Trent bridge and a match-changing five wicket haul at the Oval – spearheaded the greatest English Ashes triumph of all time.

The accolades continued, with Freddie being named the joint ICC Player of the Year with Jacques Kallis, crowned the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and he was awarded the Freedom of the city of his hometown Preston.  He receieved an MBE and was named as the Wisden Leading Cricketer of the World in early 2006.  By this point he was a global sensation alongside cricketing greats olikeShane Warne and amongst the dominant England cricketers of the modern era.

He was named England captain for their tour to India, and was instrumental in his team’s role over the subcontinent, considering the inexperience of the team.  He again succumbed to injury concerns, but the following years were a nadir in the big man’s resume.

He was appointed captain for the re-match of the Ashes series in Australia – and presided over the worst defeat for an England team equalling the ill-fated 1921 series, and the shortest reign of an Ashes champion.  His form was average in the series, and there were numerous incidents off the field, including allegedly turning up drunk to training sessions and being formally warned for misconduct on at least three occasions.  He did atone to some degree with a comeback victory in the one-day series, but the damage had been done.

The 2007 World Cup was unfortunately much of the same with the now infamous pedalo incident costing Flintoff the vice captaincy and he had another poor return of form.

The harsh reality is that if Flintoff is to figure in the upcoming test series against New Zealand he will be judged on his past reputation and his fitness.  New Zealand proved they were a match for the English in the test series on Kiwi soil – but England are usually more impressive at home.

England then host the South Africans, who are one of the world’s premier sides.  The selectors may decide to give Flintoff a run against the New Zealanders to break him in for the South African series.  But with numerous one-day matches throughout, there will be ample time for the big lad to make a return to cricket.

If he can recapture his dominance he will figure in an inexperienced England team, but the track record of indiscretions and injury will surely figure against Freddie.  Some may argue that including him in the squad will cost one of the more promising players, but his ability as an all-rounder, and more importantly as a match-winner, must come into factor – leading to the next Ashes series in approximately 12 months time.