Thaindian News

London, July 21 (IANS) England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is determined to lift the Ashes urn no matter what is the state of his troublesome left knee.
Flintoff courage inspired England to win the second Test against Australia at Lord’s here Monday and go up 1-0 in the series.

“I said before this match that these will be my last four Test matches. To be on that podium at the Oval would, for me, be the perfect way to go,” Flintoff was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

Flintoff defied the knee injury for his matchwinning maiden five-wicket haul at Lord’s that pained the Australians. He also emerged as the Man of the Match.

“The encouraging thing is that I bowled the best part of 40 overs in this Test, and I feel fine apart from a few aches and pains. I may have been in a bit of discomfort, but I have played most of my career in discomfort, so for me that’s nothing new,” he said.

Flintoff’s retirement from Test cricket after the Ashes, at the age of just 31, will be a tragedy for English cricket.

“It’s quite sad in some ways. I feel I am getting better as a bowler, so it’s unfortunate that my body is not standing up. I’m learning more about how to bowl.

“My length is naturally short and aggressive, but I’ve realised that once you have got the batters stepping back, the fuller ball has a bit more threat,” he said.

“Also I’m feeling more comfortable with the new ball. When I was younger I got caught in two minds about whether I should be swinging it or just putting it there, whereas now I just hold it seam up and try to wang it.

“I am pleased to have taken five wickets here. But the worst thing now would be to sit back and dine out on this. Australia will keep coming back at us, so we have to get better in every game.”