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Full name Andrew Flintoff
Born December 6, 1977, Preston, Lancashire
Current age 30 years 305 days
Major teams England,ICC World XI,Lancashire
Nickname Freddie
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast
Height
6 ft 4 in
Education Ribbleton Hall High school
England v South Africa at The Oval, Aug 7-11, 2008 scorecard
List A debut
1995
Last List A
England v South Africa at Cardiff, Sep 3, 2008 scorecard
Twenty20 debut
Yorkshire v Lancashire at Leeds, Jul 14, 2004 scorecard
Last Twenty20
Middlesex v Lancashire at The Oval, Jul 8, 2008 scorecard
Profile
In the summer of 2005, Andrew Flintoff established himself as England's greatest allround cricketer since the days of Ian Botham, producing a succession of wholehearted and inspirational performances to reap 402 runs and 24 wickets in five Tests, and carry his team to glory in arguably the greatest Ashes series of all time. It was a performance that reverberated around the globe, and propelled Flintoff to the sort of superstar status that his many admirers had always believed was within his grasp, but had often despaired of him ever achieving. Big, northern and mightily proud of it, he hits the ball harder than any English cricketer since Botham, and uses his colossal 6'4" frame to generate speeds in excess of 90mph which, allied to his metronomic accuracy and burgeoning mastery of reverse-swing, make him one of the most intimidating bowlers in the game. For a time Freddie was destructive and self-destructive in equal measure - his precocious skills and size led to a Test debut at the age of 20, but two years later he was struggling with his weight and his motivation, barely able to bowl because of persistent back problems, and barely worth a place in the Lancashire seconds. In 2001, he was given an ultimatum by his management team, and requested to be sent to Rod Marsh's ECB Academy. It gave him the motivation he needed, and when England SOSed for him during that winter's India tour, he was a reformed character. Despite being found out by India's spinners, he picked up a maiden Test century against New Zealand and was an integral factor in a successful home summer in 2002. Unfortunately, it was all too exciting for the England management. By the time they flew out to Australia in October, Flintoff had been bowled into the ground, and could barely walk after a hernia operation. But he returned to action in time for the World Cup, where he was the most economical bowler in the tournament, and come the 2003 season, he was ready to take centre stage. He came of age in the Test series against South Africa, thumping a therapeutic 95 in England's remarkable comeback at The Oval to go with a defiant century at Lord's, and produced a starring role in England's series win in the Caribbean, where he learned at last to slip the handbrake and become a genuine attacking option with the ball. After helping England to a 2-1 series win in South Africa, he flew home early for an operation on his troublesome left ankle, forwent his honeymoon to speed his recuperation, then returned fitter and better than ever. He single-handedly inspired England to a two-run victory over Australia at Edgbaston, in one of the greatest Tests of all time, followed up with a maiden Ashes hundred at Trent Bridge, sealed the series with a marathon five-wicket haul at The Oval, and embarked on a 17-hour bender culminating in an open-top bus parade through the streets of London. By now, he was a global superstar to bracket alongside Sachin Tendulkar or Shane Warne, but the trappings of fame and the hindrances of his ever-troublesome ankle combined to sap his effectiveness. He stepped into the breach to captain England on an injury-plagued tour of India in March 2006 - and inspired his side to a series-levelling win at Mumbai - but within four months he was out of action once again. In his absence Andrew Strauss captained England to victory over Pakistan, but Flintoff persuaded the selectors to put him in charge for the Ashes in 2006-07 - a desperate campaign that resulted in a 5-0 thumping. Though he atoned in part by leading England to a surprise victory in the subsequent one-day CB Series, he was disciplined by the England management for his excessive drinking and at the subsequent World Cup, with Michael Vaughan back in charge, stripped of the vice-captaincy after drunkenly capsizing a pedalo in St Lucia following England's defeat to New Zealand. He continued to pound away with the ball, visibly discomforted by his ankle problem, but his efforts with the bat became embarrassing. He didn't feature in any of England's seven Tests of the 2007 summer, and by the time he had undergone a third ankle operation that September, many wondered if he would ever add to his tally of 67 Tests. But at Headingley the following July, he returned to the fray against South Africa, after an 18-month Test hiatus. Though his influence couldn't stave off a ten-wicket defeat, the pace of his bowling was not in question and nor, for the time being, was his fitness. By the time he had been named Man of the Series in England's thumping 4-0 ODI win over South Africa, he was returning rapidly to his very, very best. Andrew Miller (September 2008)
Notes
NBC Denis Compton Award 1997
Walter Lawrence Trophy 1999
Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2004
ICC One-Day Player of the Year 2004
PCA Player of the Year 2004
ICC Player of the Year 2005
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2005
PCA Player of the Year 2005
Awarded the MBE in 2005
Hits 61 off 24 balls at Old Trafford, including 34 off an Alex Tudor, to help Lancashire chase 250 set by Surrey. The teams have scored 146 and 151 in the first innings. This innings comes a fortnight before the Old Trafford Test against South Africa, and Wasim Akram, the Lancashire captain, says Flintoff would already be playing Tests had he been born in Pakistan.
July 23, 1998 Slow start
On Test debut against South Africa at Trent Bridge, claims Jacques Kallis
as first Test wicket. Bags a pair in his second Test at Headingley, and misses out on winter tour.
After consistent criticism about his weight, hits 42 not out against Zimbabwe in a low-scoring ODI at Old Trafford to win Man of the Match. Says the famous line afterwards, "Not bad for a fat lad."
November, 2001 Welcome Flintoff the bowler
Is called up from the Academy squad to bolster the Test team in India, and plays all three Tests. Struggles with the bat, but is a revelation with the ball.
January-February, 2002 Shirtless winner
Returns to India post Christmas for the one-day series. Wins England a close series-leveller with a tight final over, and runs around the Wankede Stadium with his shirt off.
In his 13th Test, crosses 50 for the first time, and makes sure it's a big one. Hits 163-ball 137 in the second innings of the Christchurch Test is overshadowed by Graham Thorpe, though, who scores 200 in 231 balls.
August, 2002 One of many to come
Picks up a hernia, which forces him to miss the final Test at The Oval against India, and the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Travels to Australia for the Ashes series, but is clearly unfit and doesn't play any Test.
March, 2003 Winner in a losing cause
In the World Cup in South Africa, bowls 48.4 overs for 140 runs and seven wickets, but England go out in the first round.
Is hit on the shoulder by Sajid Mahmood, during a Lancashire net session, and is unable to bowl for the first part of the season. Misses Tests against Zimbabwe. Returns to England action in the NatWest Challenge against Pakistan, and is a big help for Michael Vaughan in his first two one-day tournaments as captain. Bowls 28 overs for 91 runs and five wickets
August-September, 2003 Consistent in the big-time
Makes 142 off 146 balls in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa, breaking his bat in the process, but England lose by an innings and 92 runs. Makes 95 at The Oval to help England level the series.
March-September, 2004 Season before the storm
Plays a key role with 11 wickets at 29 as England win 3-0 in West Indies. Scores a century in the final Test, but the limelight in that match clearly belongs to Brian Lara for his 400.
In England's clean sweep of all home Tests, scores 603 runs and takes 24 wickets. Is the Man of the Series for the four-Test series against West Indies.
February, 2005 Injury, the old friend
Misses the one-day series in South Africa with an ankle injury.
July-September, 2005 Fred's Ashes
Is England's driving force as they regain the Ashes after 16 years. Scores 402 runs at 40.20, and takes 24 wickets at 27.29 to win the Man-of-the-Series award, and also the Compton-Miller medal.
A month later, is named the ICC Cricketer of the Year alongside Jacques Kallis, and plays in the ICC Super Series against Australia.
March, 2006 Leader of men
Is named England captain for Tests and ODIs in India after Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick are forced home. Helps England come from 0-1 down to level the series with victory in Mumbai.
May-June, 2006 Injury haunts again
Continues as England captain against Sri Lanka at home, but picks up an ankle injury in the third Test and misses rest of the summer. Recovers from injury in September, and is named captain for Champions Trophy and Ashes series.
Loses Ashes series 0-5, but after a brief return by Vaughan is back in the captaincy hot seat for the latter part of the CB Series. Out of nowhere England win the finals 2-0.
March, 2007 Fredalo
Is stripped of the vice-captaincy after a drunken night out following England's defeat against New Zealand in St Lucia, which cumulates in falling off a pedalo.
May, 2007 Ankle injury is here to stay
Picks up another ankle injury before the series against West Indies, and undergoes further surgery that rules him out of most of the season.
This is the summer where his weight has become a major issue, but Flintoff lets his bat do the talking with a thunderous innings that steers Lancashire to victory in the quarter-final of the NatWest Trophy. His hundred comes in 88 balls as he rips the Surrey attack to shreds. David Gower, who is doing TV commentary for the match, says: "We have just watched one of the most awesome innings we are ever going to see on a cricket field."
95 v South Africa, The Oval, 2003
The innings that makes everyone believe Flintoff has finally become the match-winner England crave. Three Tests earlier he has slammed 142 at Lord's, but in a long-since lost match. However, at The Oval he changes the course of the series. After Marcus Trescothick's career-best 219, England edge ahead of South Africa's 484, but the odds still favour a draw - enough to give South Africa the series. Then, with Steve Harmison for company, Flintoff opens his shoulders in thrilling style. One six off Makhaya Ntini finishes in the pavilion, and by the time he is bowled by Paul Adams he has scored 95 off 104 balls, and added 99 for the ninth wicket; and the momentum had swung decisively England's way.
5 for 58 v West Indies, Barbados, 2004
Flintoff has been England's most consistent bowler for three years now, but hasn't yet taken a decisive haul. In his 32nd Test, though, he breaks the barrier as England march towards their historic series win. Operating in the "dream team" attack alongside Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard, Flintoff builds up a fearsome head of steam. He removes Lara for 36, and later adds Ridley Jacobs and Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the same over. West Indies recover with a solid bowling performance themselves, but Flintoff takes two in second innings, too, as they are bowled out for less than 100.
While England's Test form is reaching new heights, one-day cricket continues to be a problem. However, during the final part of a record-breaking summer they find form, and it owes much to Flintoff's pyrotechnics. In the Champions Trophy semi-final, at a dank Rose Bowl, England have slipped to 70 for 3 when Flintoff strides out. Firstly he consolidates, then begins to expand and his 91-ball innings boosts England to 251. It is more than enough in bowler-friendly conditions, as Flintoff bags two wickets for good measure.
68 and 73; 3 for 52 and 4 for 79 v Australia, Edgbaston 2005
Perhaps the Greatest Test, and definitely Flintoff's finest. He plays a key role in each innings, starting with his counterattacking 68 on the first day as England set pulses racing with 407 in less than 80 overs. After having come short at Lord's, Flintoff goes back to his instincts - at one point pulling Brett Lee for six with his eyes closed. He wraps up Australia's first innings to gain a lead of 99, but Shane Warne leads a fightback, and Flintoff walks in with England tottering on 72 for 5.
But this is Flintoff's Test and his alone to salvage. A nation holds its breath as Flintoff wrenches his shoulder trying to cut Warne. But it is a false alarm and he proceeds to launch into Australia's bowlers in a final-wicket stand of 51 with Simon Jones. Chasing 282, Australia begin well and at 47 without loss Flintoff is thrown the ball. Sure enough, he produces the over of his
career. Justin Langer chops on, and then Ricky Ponting is beaten by a ripping 90mph leg-cutter. Crucially Flintoff oversteps, and has a seventh delivery - a searing one that kisses the edge of Ponting's bat. At the start of the fourth day, Australia need 107
with two wickets in hand, and when Flintoff makes Warne tred on his stumps he breaks a 65-run ninth-wicket partnership that is fast taking Australia towards the target. With the last wicket, Australia get within two before Michael Kasprowicz gloves Steve Harmison, and in what becomes an iconic image of the summer Flintoff kneels down to shake Lee's hand.
Having watched Australia avoid defeat at Old Trafford by one wicket it
would have been easy for England to feel hard done. But nothing of the sort at Trent Bridge. Again it is Flintoff on the second morning who proves to be the decisive factor as he and Geraint Jones add 177 - the partnership that would ultimately regain the Ashes. Flintoff plays like a top-order batsman, yet unleashes his trademark power, to register his fourth Test century - 102 0ff 131 balls. In England's fraught run-chase he makes a vital 26, but without his hundred the result could have been very different.
72 and 5 for 78 v Australia, The Oval 2005
Flintoff's colossal series reaches its climax with another sterling all-round display at The Oval 2005. His 72 helps England to a competitive 373, but it is with the ball that he makes the Aussies quake. Delays with rain and bad light boost England's chances of the draw they need, but on the fourth morning Australia are 277 for 2 and shaping to take a first-innings lead. In murky conditions he bowls 18 overs unchanged at nearly 90mph as Australia lose eight for 86, Flintoff taking Matthew Hayden, Ponting and Damien Martyn.
50 and 50; 1 for 68 and 3 for 14 v India, Mumbai
Trailing 0-1 in the series and with five first-choice players missing it seems an impossible task for England to level the series in the Mumbai Test. But Flintoff, in his first series as captain, marshals his team well. His first-innings 50 builds on Andrew Strauss's century, but in the second - with India's attack threatening to bowl their team back into the match, Flintoff plays his most circumspect innings, taking 146 balls for 50. Then, as India chase 313, he removes Wasim Jaffer early on the final morning, and shortly after lunch nails Rahul Dravid. The rest fell in a clatter.
