Why Flintoff Should Not Be On The England Tour

Andrew Flintoff's second child is due at the same time as the third test and in my view it would better for Flintoff, his family and the England team if he is where any man should be in his circumstances, by his wife's side.

I wasn't much use at work before the birth of my first child and my wife was never more than a short journey away. Andrew Strauss has been a rock in the England side, round which many match winning England scores have been made. It is no coincidence that his form deserted him in Pakistan before the birth of his first child caused him to miss the third test. Robin Smith endured a tortuous tour of Australia when his wife expecting, more proof of the impossibility of putting in world-class performances as a touring cricketer and an expectant father.

Flintoff's pivotal position in the side and his living legend status has forced him to go on this tour, but the selectors should have looked in the mirror and realised that their panel and the commentary box is full of irreplaceable cricketers. I predict that Flintoff will have a poor two Tests before flying home, because in any man's mind the enormity of being a father will always triumph over the triviality of cricket.