Freddie owes us, big time
Paul Weaver writes in his Guardian blog that Andrew Flintoff has borrowed freely from the goodwill of the English public and now he owes them - big time.
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
Paul Weaver writes in his Guardian blog that Andrew Flintoff has borrowed freely from the goodwill of the English public and now he owes them - big time.
There are two images of Andrew Flintoff and they flicker like holograms, struggling for primacy in the mind's eye. One is of his heroic deeds, with both bat and ball, in the Ashes of 2005, when he was truly immense; in the other he reels, like a stage drunk, as he celebrates that famous triumph in Trafalgar Square.
Today, on the eve of another Ashes series, the first picture has faded a little and it is the second that is illuminated by the stronger beam of light. Flintoff has much to do. What he achieves this year against a beatable Australia will help define him. Whether he plays like a match-winning all-rounder or galumphs around like an overgrown mascot will shape our memories of him and, perhaps, even his own.
Weaver also speaks to Stuart Clark, who is ready to take his chance despite a lack of preparation. Surprised by all the fuss over his visa issues and prospect of Gloucester giving Australia a helping hand, Clark says he had no control over matters.
Also in the Guardian, James Anderson tells Donald McRae he wants to be the man who stands up in the key moments during this series, while David Hopps says the concerns about Cardiff hosting the first Test will be forgotten if the Welsh fans "rush down from the valleys as supportively as the Welsh weather".
In the Daily Telegraph, Ricky Ponting recalls each of the five Tests that led to Australia losing the urn in 2005.
In his Guardian blog Andy Bull speaks to John Buchanan, who is revelling in his role reversal as England's adviser.
"You've had a number of Australian coaches come over into the English sporting system to provide some expertise. I'm just one of those pieces that can be imported and hopefully provide some knowledge and assistance."
Mike Selvey is going so say sorry on his next trip to Trent Bridge, because a failure to recognise an unfairly derided fast bowling legend more than 40 years ago still haunts him to this day.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here