"When we were getting hammered out there, it was a lonely one as well. Blame was flying in all directions and a lot was assigned to me. What happened then was that self-preservation kicked in among some of the players. It was human nature, they started looking after themselves and retreated into their own groups," said Flintoff.
"In hindsight, the captaincy was one job too many for me. I felt isolated. It was the lowest point of my career and, having been through it," said the comeback man.
"I would never let a captain I played for go through that experience. Kevin has started brilliantly and the team has responded. But he has to be ready if things start to go wrong," said Flintoff
"Being captain of
He said Petersen’s move by making him bat Flintoff at six helped the all-rounder gain his confidence back who was out of cricket for almost one year because of an ankle injury. "When he took over the England captaincy, Kevin said he wanted five bowlers for the last Test (against South Africa) and asked me if I would bat at six and I was more than happy with that and I said I wanted to bat as high as possible in the one-dayers.”
"Maybe his attitude and certainty helped give me confidence. Maybe it was coincidence, but by the end of the summer I was taking guard, looking up and all I could see were gaps." Asked about his target, Flintoff said, "Before my latest operation, I said to myself that if I didn’t feel that I could play better than I had done before I would have quit there and then. But I feel I can do much more than I have done up to now.
"I’m fit. There are no problems at all with the ankle. I’m more comfortable with my game and in myself and in a much better position to perform. And there is a massive amount to strive for now."
Leave Your Comments