Monday, February 13, 2006

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.

2 Comments:

Blogger Reem said...

I agree with this line "... impossibility of putting in world-class performances as a touring cricketer and an expectant father."

Even a Flintoff cannot be immune to these pressures. The selection committee though cannot be faulted for picking the "best 11" .. I mean how does one pick an English 11 without Flintoff?

If Blackwell is in the team, he can definitely throw up some surprises.

India though, is in great form at the moment... mediocre bowling...but a really strong batting line up. I hope they select Wasim Jaffer in the playing 11. A classcial opnener..he showed Bradmanesque form in the doemstic season.

1:24 pm  
Blogger Unknown said...

Now the selectors have made him captain as well. They must have read too many media reports and have forgotten that the many is only human.

Will watch Wasim Jaffer's career with interest.

10:20 pm  

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