http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 v England 2011: Andrew Flintoff rates present English team as better than 2005 – Cricket News Update
Former English all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the historic Ashes series in 2005.
Breaking Aussie domination on the International stage, the English side won the Ashes trophy after 16 years in 2005, courtesy to Flintoff’s excellent all-round performance.
Along with 402 runs with the bat, the Lancashire-born cricketer claimed 24 scalps and emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the series. His all-round performance also helped him win the ‘Man of the Series’
award and Flintoff referred to the 2005 Ashes as one of the greatest English victories ever.
Despite conceding the fact that it was an outstanding achievement by the Michael Vaughan-led side to regain the coveted trophy, Flintoff cited the current crew as superior, since the side has quality players
in each department of the game at the moment.
“This is a better side than the one we had in 2005. The strength of it and the depth of it is incredible. In 2005 we had 11 players who had a memorable few weeks and played at their best for a period,
but we never played together again. They’re the best team out there. There might have been a question before the start of the series but after these two performances there is no –question,” said the 33-year-old cricketer.
Flintoff’s comments came after England’s superb performance in the first two Tests of the ongoing four-match series against India. Perpetuating the good run after Lord’s triumph, the Poms thrashed Indians
at Trent Bridge, sealing an emphatic 319-run victory that guided the home side to a 2-0 lead.
Acknowledging http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013’s recent success at the highest level as a clear result of competitive County Cricket, Flintoff shared that the tough domestic cricket has definitely helped the players to polish
their skills.
“It is a tough competition and the two divisions have had an impact. I don’t think it is a coincidence that England are the best team in the world with what goes on in the county game,” added the former
cricketer who holds an experience of 183 first-class matches.
Tags: