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Flower stands by Flintoff

Former Zimbabwe batsman sees vulnerabilities in Australia's side

Last updated: 4th July 2009

Flintoff: Disciplined for missing team trip to Flanders

We certainly respect them still, but we don't fear them

Andy Flower on Australia
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England team director Andy Flower insists Andrew Flintoff did not deserve to be dropped for his latest breach of discipline.

The all-rounder was punished by the England and Wales Cricket Board for missing the team bus for a team trip to Flanders last weekend.

However, team director Flower has rejected the idea that the Lancastrian should have been axed from England's plans ahead of the home series against Australia, which is live on Sky Sports.

The Zimbabwean has, though, warned his players that anyone who steps too far out of line risks losing their place, no matter what their importance to the team in an Ashes summer.

Sensitive issue

"It's a sensitive issue: I won't just say, 'Yes, of course I would' just because that is what everyone wants to hear," he told The Times when asked if he would consider dropping a big-name player for a breach of discipline.

"What I will say is that this particular situation was not a big enough thing for me to drop Andrew Flintoff. No way was it a serious enough issue to do that, to finish someone's career. I'm very clear in my own mind about that.

"But if a difficult decision has to be made, we will make a difficult decision.

"But, you know, those are often not the most difficult decisions because if someone transgresses seriously enough in your judgment, it becomes a simple decision - you just do it because it is the right thing to do for the team.

"All the decisions we make are in the best interests of the England cricket team; there are no hidden agendas at all - it's simple."

Despite enjoying home advantage, Flower believes England start the five-Test series against the Australians as underdogs.

However, the former Essex batsman does see weaknesses in Ricky Ponting's team, particularly since the retirements of "once-a-generation" players like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

Good chance

"We have a good chance this summer and I believe we can win, but I'm not about to make predictions," he added.

"We're not scared of favouritism, but I don't think we're favourites because they are the No 1-ranked team in the world. We have home advantage, though, and there are vulnerabilities in this Australian outfit that were not there before.

"They have lost a wealth of experience: Warne, Gilchrist, McGrath, Gillespie, Hayden and Langer. Any side losing those sorts of people is going to be weakened.

"Some of those guys were once-a-generation players,great characters on the field and in the dressing room. We certainly respect them still, but we don't fear them."