Andrew Flintoff to retire from Test cricket

[barmyarmy]

A shame. He never reached the heights of Botham as a batter or bowler. I always felt he wore the label round his neck like a millstone.

 

[Hooper]

Yeah, very true, Colin. Seeing as even Mitchell Johnson is going to become a better Test All rounder then him. :o

cue evertonfan...

 

[OffCutters]

I remember the days where they were like *Flintoff best english bowler of all time* But true never reached the heights of Botham at all. But needless to say, he is a good player, even though i hate the Poms.

 

[madmusician]

I'd say that he was "great" for two years - 2004-2005. Apart from that he was a disappointment, largely through ill-discipline and injuries. He will be remembered as a real fans' favourite, a real trier, somebody who gave his all for the England cause. Sadly the Ashes of 2006-7 marred his career somewhat, in addition to the "Fredalo" incident, but he should be remembered as a top player of this decade. If he can help us regain the Ashes this summer (we can dream), then he will go down in history as a legend of English cricket. If not (being somewhat more realistic), then he will still be remembered fondly, although he was a "nearly man" in later years.

 

[King Pietersen]

A shame. He never reached the heights of Botham as a batter or bowler. I always felt he wore the label round his neck like a millstone.

Maybe didn't reach the heights of Beef in terms of history and notoriety, but he had a couple of very solid years with bat and ball, most notably in 2004. Made 898 runs at 52.82 with 2 hundreds, and took 43 wickets at 25. Followed that up with 709 runs at 30, with 25.76. He's only ever been genuinely good with the bat in 2 years, but his bowling has been consistently excellent.

Compare that with Beefy, who's best years came in 78 and 82. In 78 he made 597 runs at 37 with 66 wickets at 18. In 82 he made 1095 runs at 49.77 but wasn't as solid with the ball, taking 47 wickets at 37. So really Fred's best year in 2004 was really very good in comparison with Botham, and was a more consistent all-round year than Botham ever had. Botham had excellent years with the bat, and excellent years with the ball, but never really had an outstanding year with both, and in contrast to Fred, by the end of his Test career (the last 5 years really), his bowling had really gone downhill, whereas Fred's still almost as good a bowler as he was in 04/05.

A comparison of their careers really doesn't sit Botham too far ahead of Flintoff, and I can see Flintoff going down in history as one of England's best all-rounders once people have had chance to reflect on his career.

 

[log4dinesh]

Freddi Should be in the test matches...

Right now he is not @ his best form...

But

When he faces each ball the opposite team bowlers will always in nervousness....

When he bowls each ball the batsman always under pressure... even if he is in 200+....

 

[m_vaughan]

This decision is the sign of a true professional. It is disappointing to hear but the most correct thing to do given his problem with injuries. I do not care what his stats say but test cricket will be empty without Freddie.

 

[The_gas]

A sad day indeed, i wish him well.

 

[aussie1st]

Part of me is sad to see him go, the other is happy. Will never forget the carnage he caused during the 2005 Ashes with bat and ball, in particular the ball where he was swing/reverse swinging it both ways.

 

[Insomniac]

In the end, he was only a good player that was in excellent form for a period of time (the 2005 Ashes).

Never lived up to his potential.

 

[Skater]

I think 2005 surpassed his potential.

 

[sami ullah khan]

I love to Watching Freddie in action. He is one of my favorite Bowlers especially to left handers. His ability to bowl at at 145KPH and swing it at that pace is truly a unique gift. Most of his injuries occur due to his awkward action where he hurts his ankle. I think he should work with some bowling coach and physio to work out where it goes all wrong. Bowlers have modified actions and managed to stay fit for much longer. Freddie is still young enough to modify his action and still be a threat. At most he will lose 5kph off his speed. But he will still be fast enough IMO. I would be very sad If freddie gives up on his test career without putting up a fight.

 

[OffCutters]

Sad to see Freddie go but yeah very smart decision, as he said, his body cant take Test Cricket anymore. I wish him well in T20s and ODIs.

 

[Skater]

The way he is talking at the press conference is as if he's been reading this thread

 

[Howsie]

Does it really effect England that much. I know he was a pretty good player and all but how many games has he missed.

I just checked out his stats on cricinfo, only two five wicket hauls in test cricket. I thought he would of had a lot more then that.