Lol, Freddy has fallen off the pedola again:
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...a/news-story/572e9394647a67d3fa941b4c8f12bc13
HE was the heartbeat of the side that ended England’s 18-year Ashes drought in 2005, but Andrew Flintoff rates Joe Root’s outfit as the best in the country’s history.
Despite Australia being firm favourites for this summer’s blockbuster encounter and the storm clouds that hang over Ben Stokes, Flintoff is backing the tourists to overcome Steve Smith’s XI.
“It’s not a case of England winning,” Flintoff told
BBC Radio Five Live, “it’s by how many.”
It’s the type of side you’d want to be involved in, from the coach and the captain down. I think England will have a good winter.
“It’s probably the best England team I think we’ve ever had.
“We’ve got Jimmy Anderson, who is England’s best ever bowler; Alastair Cook, England’s best ever batter. And you throw in the likes of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, who is fantastic — it’s exciting times.”
Star all-rounder Stokes is hanging onto his Ashes hopes by a thread, with the 26-year-old under investigation for causing actual bodily harm in a late-night brawl outside a Bristol nightclub.
Flintoff opted not to comment on Stokes’ actions, but rated the youngster a superior all-rounder than himself.
“It’s flattering when he’s compared to you,” Flintoff said, “he’s so much better (than me), lets be honest.
“He’s a fantastic cricketer.”
Anderson meanwhile believes the Ashes will be decided by whichever team better exposes the other’s weaknesses.
While England has trouble at the top of the order, with Mark Stoneman yet to truly convince as Alastair Cook’s opening partner and a gaping hole at No.3, Australia has problems of its own. Although the hosts are less reliant on Steve Smith and David Warner in home conditions, there remain question marks over who will play at No.6 and behind the stumps.
“I see a lot of similarities in the two teams. The transition that both have gone through in the recent past is very similar,” Anderson said.
“There are weaknesses in both teams and they’re going to try and exploit ours. It’s our job to try and exploit theirs and cement the cracks we might have. If we can do that, we’ll be in a good position.”
