blog: Flintoff playing on Australians’ minds, says Strauss
Posted in clothing on August 31st, 2009 by admin – 1 CommentEngland captain Andrew Strauss feels Andrew Flintoff’s explosive pace, despite his chronic knee injury, has tormented the Australian batsmen.
Flintoff, who snared his third five-wicket haul in 77 Tests at Lord’s in the second Ashes Test, had himself admitted tipping his pace by a notch.
Asked if Flintoff’s fabulous 5-92 to propel England to victory at Lord’s was more a skill-related or mental triumph, Strauss replied: “A bit of both.”
Strauss, who could not take the ball from Flintoff’s hands on the final morning at Lord’s, believes the injury-riddled 31-year-old may still be the most threatening fast bowler in world cricket.
“If you were to list the top three bowlers in world cricket that batsmen don’t want to face, Fred is going to be on that list and probably at the top of it,” Strauss was quoted as saying in The Australian.
“No one enjoys facing him and sometimes he doesn’t get his just rewards for the hostility he bowls with,” Strauss said.
“That consistent hostility is unpleasant. It is, quite frankly, unpleasant in the nets and it’s not much fun in the middle either.”