Q&A - Andrew Flintoff

Last updated: 6th August 2008

Q&A - Andrew Flintoff

Flintoff: Doing alright

ENGLAND v SOUTH AFRICA
Fourth npower Test
Live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1
Thurs, August 7 - Mon, August 11
Click here for full TV schedules

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The England star speaks ahead of the fourth and final Test against South Africa.

Following your return to the Test arena, apart from the appointment of a new coach, did you notice anything different in the set-up?

Different coach...different players. There's a lot of energy about the side. There's a few more support staff around, fielding coaches and bowling coaches. Essentially all the right ingredients are there, there's plenty of desire and a great team spirit. But the one thing I've probably noticed is that there's a lot more of a buzz about the place.

Than there was on the last Ashes tour?

...(laughs)...Yeah. The buzz got knocked out of us a bit there.

What's the buzz down to? Who's influence is that?

Probably the coach coming in...Vaughany came back from his injury problems. It's quite a young team now as well - there's a few new faces in there. Probably confidence as well; some of the lads have grown up a bit. They're a little bit older, a little bit more wise and happier in their own game.

What do you have to do to be able to compete with the Aussies next year?

To be honest with you, the Aussies are next year. We're competing with the South Africans on Thursday. We've got to score more runs - first innings totals - and apply some pressure with the ball.

Was that (lack of form with the bat) something you talked about last time?

Yeah, that was a big thing: if we'd got 300-odd in the first innings of either game, we'd have been right in it, wouldn't we? So that's the big place we can improve.

And do you think KP will be bending your ear for a bit of advice as well?

I'm sure he will. Not just mine, but I'm sure he'll speak to everyone at some point. You know, Kev's taken over and all the qualities that have made him into the player he is he'll take to the captaincy. He works hard, he's very confident and single-minded and he's aggressive as well. That's what made him the player he is and I'm sure those things will serve him well as captain.

What was your first thought when you heard the news about Michael?

I was a bit surprised - I didn't see it coming. I felt for him because he's been a great captain - well, he's been our best one ever, hasn't he? He turned the team's fortunes around and turned around the dressing room almost: getting people to play together and play with an enjoyment and try and take away the fear of failure. I don't think he deserved to go out the way in which he did and I didn't enjoy seeing that press conference. He deserved to go out winning a series or winning the Ashes or something...for all the good work that he's done.

It's very rare that a cricket captain does...

No they don't, do they? I didn't go out on top! (laughs) That's just the way it is, isn't it.

Did he phone you?

I saw him in the hotel (on Sunday morning) when he was rushing off to go to Loughborough.

How would you rate your own performances in the last two Test matches?

Alright. Yeah, the first Test match at Headingley...it was nice to get back in. I bowled alright with not a great deal of luck and my batting got better in the second innings - I felt quite good at the crease. And then probably similar in the next (Test). Batting...I felt quite controlled and my bowling was fine. But it doesn't matter about personal performance, it's about England winning, isn't it?

Aren't you underselling yourself a bit? I'm thinking about Thursday evening (in the second Test) against Jacques Kallis when everybody was saying 'Freddie's back'...

It was alright, yeah...it was a decent hour. But you never look too fondly on your performances when you get beat. I've got something to build on; I came back into the side after a long lay-off. I still feel I can play at that level - and I can play better. I've got to show that. I can talk as much as I want but I need to take some wickets and, more importantly, get some runs.

What changes have you made to your approach in order to ward off the possibility of another injury?

I don't think I can ward off any injuries; I think that, as a bowler, you get them. There's always an element of luck but one thing I've done is work hard. After the fourth ankle operation I've had six months of solid rehab with (physiotherapist) Dave Roberts at Lancs. That's probably the best I can do. The one thing with my ankle is that I've got to keep working and doing my exercises and making sure it's strong. But after that it's fingers crossed.

Do you think you'll be a better player in 2009 than you were in 2005?

I hope so. As a bowler, as long as I'm fit I feel like I improve. There's a bit more craft to my bowling, where I used to rely on pace. I can do a few more things with the ball now - I've got a better understanding of what to do and when to do it. With the bat...I'm getting there. I'm by no means playing my best - but it's getting better. Batsmen historically peak in their early 30s and I'm hoping I do. I definitely think I can improve.

How come you're so well-liked by your opponents despite bowling such aggressive spells?

I don't know...some people say that's a bit of a slur on me as well!

Kallis paid quite a fulsome tribute to you after your Edgbaston meeting...

Well I got my 200th wicket and he just congratulated me on that. But I've played with some of those lads: we played the World XI game out in Australia (in 2005) and spent probably a month or so with those lads. And I've played against them a lot as well. You're desperately trying to get them out and score runs but you respect them as people as well. You can be aggressive from time to time...but I'm pretty chilled out.

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