Flintoff gains new lease of life from recall

Published on Wednesday 16 July 2008 22:48

ANDREW Flintoff believes his return to Test cricket is like a new beginning in his international career.

Flintoff, 30, is expected to win his 68th cap in England’s second match of the npower series tomorrow against South Africa at Headingley, a ground upon which he struggled in his early days. His first two Test appearances at a ground his Lancashire team-mates call ‘Galatasaray’ due to the hostile reception in Roses clashes, were hellish ones.

He bagged two pairs, against South Africa ten years ago and then against India four years later, taking only one wicket in the two contests. But, having gone through months of injury misery since captaining his country in the Ashes whitewash-clinching defeat in Sydney in January 2007, his mood is much more upbeat.

“It feels a little bit like a new beginning because it has been so long,” said Flintoff, whose comeback from a fourth ankle operation was hindered recently by a six-week spell on the sidelines with a side strain.

“For me, it is almost a fresh start. A few years ago, I was out for a while and then came back with some success, hopefully I can do that again. I was pleased, ecstatic almost, just to get the call back in the England squad.

“If you have ever pulled on an England shirt, that is enough to get you back out playing one-day internationals, or Test cricket. The excitement, the emotions of playing a Test match and walking out with the rest of the team is enough to keep anyone going who has experienced that.”

Although Flintoff’s appearance has yet to be rubber-stamped, captain Michael Vaughan recently confirmed he would be recalled at the earliest opportunity despite England setting a new Test record of fielding the same side for six consecutive matches.

There has also been some conjecture as to where Flintoff will slot back into the XI after such an extended absence, with Vaughan stating on more than one occasion this summer that his preference would be at No7, as part of a four-man attack. England toiled in the field for the final three days of the drawn Lord’s Test and so resting one of the bowling unit – Ryan Sidebottom has been troubled by a back niggle – is an option.

If England do go down the more attacking route, however, Paul Collingwood is likely to make way at No6.

But Flintoff hopes to have the Yorkshire crowd behind him for a change if he plays. “As and when I do come on to bowl, I’m sure there might be a little bit of excitement here at Headingley,” he said. “The Lancashire players refer to it fondly as Galatasaray, but I think in an England shirt it’s a different game.”