Aussies warm to Fred

The debate over who should lead England in Australia raged on until the final moment, when Andrew Flintoff claimed the honour. David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, said it was the tightest of calls before it eventually fell to the man who was central to England's success last summer. Ricky Ponting has said it doesn't matter to him who leads England but Thornton McCamish, in The Age, says it is great news for Australian fans.

I'm delighted. As captain, Flintoff will be in the game from coin-toss to post-match debriefing. Australian cricket fans now face a thrilling prospect: a summer dominated by players we can warm to.