Should England consider recalling Andrew Flintoff as a bowler alone?

Question

Flintoff's batting form over the past couple of years has been atrocious. This has continued into the current season. However, his bowling has always been excellent.

Should England bring him back as a bowler alone? He could fill the problem number eight slot, which would allow him to bat with freedom, add depth to the order, and lend some experience to the lower half of the order. In partnership with Sidebottom and Broad, he could form a very potent trio of seam bowlers, with Panesar as the spin option, and Collingwood chipping in with a few useful overs of medium pace.

Answer 1

why  sooooooooooooooooo?

Answer 2

Well I don't think he would get into the team as an all-rounder or on his batting alone as at the moment it's below standard, he's just gotten 2 ducks with the bat for Lancashire and his overall batting form has not been good for a while now (you can put that down to various injuries, lack of match practice, lack of form etc).

His bowling on the other hand has remained consistently excellent and he's maintained his form for his county after his operation. I think he would easily be able to slot back into the team as a tail-ender, your suggestion of him playing at number 8 would be a great idea as he would be able to play with a little freedom and perhaps score a few vital runs if needed in that position.

But I don't think he should be playing for England just yet and I hope he doesn't get picked for the games against NZ. I think it would be too soon and he needs to bowl some really long spells at county level just to make sure his ankle has heeled properly. I'd much rather see him playing against South Africa at full strength than cautiously against NZ.

Answer 3

Whatever, he should be there, & who knows, just when it's needed he may get a fantastic score?

Answer 4

the problem with English cricket is m Vaughn , Flintoff is a brilliant all rounder and plays well , maybe the training facilities are no good, i would bet that if he moved to SA he would blossom again.

Answer 5

No not yet. Flintoff needs more match practise. he does not need to be rushed back! Remember what happened last time?

Answer 6

To put it simply

Yes they should play him as a bowler for the reasons of:

* Most NO.6's in world cricket average over 40 with the bat (Freddy averages 32)

* He would replace a batsmen so the batting line-up would be weakened

* He is England best bowler in my opinion (did you know he has taken the 2nd highest % of wickets against top order batsmen out of every bowler still playing cricket)

* Collingwood can always chip in with a few overs (he's a better bowler than most people think)

* For ONCE England would have a long batting line-up (we would bat all the way down to 10), never again would it be likely that once we lose 5 wickets than the innings is almost up.

Would i play him for the NZ series as just a bowler? NO!!. BUT when he is 100% fit (maybe in the ODI series with NZ), then YES!! i would play him at 7

Answer 7

well i put it to you this way, looking at the 2009 ashes series, i don think i would enjoy the sight of fred walking out to bat at number 8, but i'm an aussie who wouldnt like that much depth in a england side playing in the ashes! but if his bowling form demands selection then by all means he should be picked!

Answer 8

I agree that he should come back but i don't agree with you for only bowling. He should do batting like he did in the ashes 2005 but he just needs to settle in and calm down then he will get his rhythm back.

Answer 9

Not a bad idea.