The virtues of hard work

Andrew Flintoff took three wickets before lunch on the second day against South Africa A © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff, England's best bowler of the day, and a relative success with the bat as well, was extolling the virtues of hard work and net practice as he faced the media at Potchefstroom, after another disappointing day at the office for his team. But, for all the efforts that England have put into their training in the past week, they are rapidly discovering that there is no substitute for the real thing when it comes to cricket practice.

"Speaking for myself, it would have been nice to spend more time in the middle," admitted Flintoff, after scoring 21 from 21 balls, "but it wasn't to be. But I feel fine and I'm seeing the ball well. We've worked really hard in the nets, and we've got a couple more sessions before [the start of the Test] on Friday. I'm confident and ready to go.

"I've lost track of the number of throwdowns me and Keysy [Robert Key] have thrown at each other," added Flintoff, who insisted there was no concern in the dressing-room about their lack of preparation, particularly among the Test specialists, who have had two months off since England last played a match.

"Since we got here, we've worked so hard and utilised the facilities well," he added. "We play eight months of the year straight through, so it's inevitable that tours have to become more compact. It was nice to spend some time at home, but we'll get back in the nets and come right by Friday."

On the plus side for England, their bowling was much better today, as they grabbed the last eight South Africa A wickets for 148. "We came back well," said Flintoff. "The bowlers found a rhythm and there was a marked improvement. Personally, I feel I'm getting better every day. I eased into it during the Oppenheimer game, and my timing was a bit out last night. Today I was quite good except for 11 no-balls - I've got to get behind that line!"

Though Flintoff put a brave face on the situation, England's travails have not gone unnoticed. "The top-order definitely looks underdone," said Mickey Arthur, South Africa A's assistant coach. "If I was Duncan Fletcher I'd be worried. I think they rocked up here underestimating their opposition. They didn't expect such a tough game."