Only in recent years after he's got over his injury problems. At the end of the day, to replace Flintoff, who bats at number 5 or 6, you need a batsman who can bowl a bit, rather than a bowler who can bat a bit. If he batted at Number 8 or something, I'd probably say that we needed a better bowler, but as it is, we need someone who can bat.
Only players that the selectors have overlooked though. There are very few all rounders in county Cricket who can bat and bowl to a decent level, unless we manage to convince Sean Ervine to play for England. I admit it's not ideal, but then it very rarely is. In County cricket, a top six batsman who bowls pace, apart from Clarke and Collingwood, there is literally nobody.