Is this the end of Test star Fred?
WITH Andrew Flintoff out of today’s fourth Ashes Test at Headingley, the question has to be asked: Is this the last we’ve seen of the big man in the Test arena? Sadly, Freddie showed during the last two days at Edgbaston that he is clearly not fit enough to withstand the rigours of five more days of Test cricket, so soon after the last one.
It is no surprise to me, therefore, that he failed yesterday’s fitness test and there must be fears now that the star all-rounder won’t be ready for his curtain call at The Oval in a fortnight’s time. The loss of a fit Freddie Flintoff is, naturally, a huge blow to England, but I believe we still have a squad to cope with it.
It could spell bad news, however, for young Stuart Broad, who I expect to make way for Steve Harmison, who can provide England with the kind of aggression that we lack without Freddie.
I also expect England to hand a debut to Jonathan Trott to beef up the batting. Trotty has had a fantastic season for Warwickshire and is a headstrong lad, who certainly won’t let the occasion get to him.
The flat Headingley track is every bowler’s nightmare, so the team batting first will enjoy a big advantage. It’s a big toss to win, but even without Freddie, I take England to wrap up an unassailable 2-0 series lead and reclaim the Ashes amid a party atmosphere in Leeds.