Flintoff retirement... Hope he will re-think his decision

Si78

Even though Andrew Flintoff announced his retirement a few days ago, I hope he re-thinks his decision.

Even if he never bowls again, I would still rather have him in the England team as a bloody good batsman.

Surely he would be a better choice as No. 3 batsman than Bopara, and could still bowl the odd over or two to mix things up a bit?

GT Destroyer

I agree that he might be a better choice for 3 the Bopara, but only because Bopara has not performed well this Ashes so far, not becasue Flintoff is a good batter.

He is 31 now? His knee is knackered, and he is not a number 3 batter for me. He is good in the team for motivation and getting in the faces of the opponents, but number 3? I don't think so.

Si78

He still has a few years left in him,
and I reckon he is a much better batsman than Bopara any day of the week.

Maybe not No.3 then.... But Bopara shouldn't be batting there either :roll:

The TMS commentary summed Flintoff up...
Half fit, he is a good player.
Fully fit, he is 2 good players in one.

And that came from an Aussie

KnightofCydonia

This crap fans are giving Bopara is rubbish, it was the same with Ian Bell. Remember the bad old days of rob key, graeme hick, ramprakash etc? These are huge improvements and Ravi will come good in time. You can't just throw a young guy out of the side without much of a chance, how do players for other teams learn? by being out there.

Freddie is doing the right thing, We don't want to lose him altogether and the field for 2 innings is a lot of work for a gammy knee, just ask michael vaughan.

-liam-

Si78 wrote:

He still has a few years left in him,
and I reckon he is a much better batsman than Bopara any day of the week.

Maybe not No.3 then.... But Bopara shouldn't be batting there either :roll:

The TMS commentary summed Flintoff up...
Half fit, he is a good player.
Fully fit, he is 2 good players in one.

And that came from an Aussie

You clearly haven't been watching much cricket recently if:

a) You think Ravi Bopara is rubbish and....

b) You think Fred could play anywhere near the top order.

He has been a bowling all rounder for the last 3 or so years and his current position in the order reflects his batting form.

Si78

-Liam- wrote:

Si78 wrote:

He still has a few years left in him,
and I reckon he is a much better batsman than Bopara any day of the week.

Maybe not No.3 then.... But Bopara shouldn't be batting there either :roll:

The TMS commentary summed Flintoff up...
Half fit, he is a good player.
Fully fit, he is 2 good players in one.

And that came from an Aussie

You clearly haven't been watching much cricket recently if:

a) You think Ravi Bopara is rubbish and....

b) You think Fred could play anywhere near the top order.

He has been a bowling all rounder for the last 3 or so years and his current position in the order reflects his batting form.

Hmmm

I do watch a bit of cricket actually.

Don't remember saying Bopara was rubbish either....

Personally I think that Freddie is a better batsman. If he is not injured.

KnightofCydonia

Freddie hasn't done it with the bat since the west indies came over in 2003 or 2004ish. He was hitting big hundreds then, now it's 40 here, 30 there. His bowling obviously makes up for that but a better batsman he isn't.

Si78

Ok,

I guess I was mistaken

End of thread lol

deffler

The guy bowled well today and will be a miss to the England side when he's retired however he looks on his last legs, he's obviousley playing in pain, same with KP, he was moving like an old man today with that achilles injury.

Freddies not been in form with the bat recently & even at his best he has never been a No3, where he's batting now does reflect his batting form & it has taken the pressure off him a bit resulting in a few decent knocks. I only hope he can manage to continue in the Ashes & help bring them home before he goes.

Bopara had a mare in the field today resulting in 3, yes 3 overthrows. He needs to be given time to bed in at No3 however I would like to see a fully fit KP take responsibility & bat No3.

Finally, England need to break this partnership early doors tomorrow else the could end up losing. Think the forecast tomorrow @ Lords is for a clear day meaning the batsmen should prosper

mike1-2

Freddie may have had a few good knocks in his time, but he is no batsman. He's an all rounder but on the same token is no Botham. Take that as you will.

uk_mr_brownstone

He's not a first 3 batsman.

He's going to rip it up in 20/20 / Indian Premier League- that's his type of batting and he's great at it, but he's not top order for test cricket.

mike1-2

Do you not think his retirement had a little to do with the money the IPL offer? And of course the fact it is a pay per play contract.

KnightofCydonia

Mike wrote:

Do you not think his retirement had a little to do with the money the IPL offer? And of course the fact it is a pay per play contract.

yes & no. he'll get money he deserves to earn but his body has been giving way in tests for 18 months now. Something had to give and he's not the first guy to do such a thing. I expect chris gayle to do so next.