A New Era - a Tribute to Andrew Flintoff
By Mr Chan

Yesterday was a tough day for the ECB. On the field their ODI side were once again put to the sword by arch rivals Australia. The Baggie Green's now lead the seven match series 5-0 and will be confident of a complete white-wash (this of course will probably be glossed over by the British media, using thick coats of “We won the Ashes!”). But it was off the field that they received the biggest body blow. National hero and cricketing icon, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff rejected the ECB’s offer of a lower-tier incremental contract, instead choosing to become the world’s first freelance cricketer. This decision is set to have a huge impact not just on English cricket but on the entire cricketing world as the walls of the cricket mercenaries damn seem not just to have cracked but to set to crumble to the ground.

As I write this article it feels wrong to label Flintoff a ‘mercenary of cricket’, in fact I would go as far as saying that this is nothing short of blasphemy. Flintoff has given eleven years of service to England and has played a combined total of 227 times for his country – 79 Test matches, 141 ODI’s and 7 T20 Internationals. Overall his stats aren’t that bad either:-

Batting and fielding averages *stats from cricinfo.com   Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 79 130 9 3845 167 31.77 6197 62.04 5 26 513 82 52 0 ODI's 141 122 16 3394 123 32.01 3821 88.82 3 18 308 93 47 0 T20Is 7 7 1 76 31 12.66 60 126.66 0 0 7 2 5 0 Bowling averages   Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 Tests 79 137 14951 7410 226 5/58 8/156 32.78 2.97 66.1 11 3 0 ODI's 141 119 5624 4121 169 5/19 5/19 24.38 4.39 33.2 6 2 0 T20Is 7 7 150 161 5 2/23 2/23 32.20 6.44 30.0 0 0 0

As impressive as these stats are, they certainly do not paint the full picture of what Flintoff brought to the game. This big, stocky, abrasive Lancastrian played the game hard but played the game fair. Freddie did everything he could for the cause but conducted himself in the right manner, the way the game was meant to be played. Many recall the now infamous Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 2005. This titanic struggle ended with Australian Kasprowicz getting caught, strangled down the leg side leaving his batting partner, Brett Lee stranded at the other end. Both Kasprowicz & Lee batted bravely but ultimately in vain as England claimed a two run victory,levelling the Series 1-1. On Kasprowicz’s dismissal, Lee sunk to his knees. Naturally every England player gathered in celebration, all except Freddie whose immediate response was go over and congratulate Lee for his remarkable effort. Despite a contribution of 141 runs, 7 wickets and 2 catches in that Test match, it was Flintoff’s huge sporting gesture which will forever live in the memory.

The way that Freddie lifted an entire crowd simply by starting a run up or by smashing a boundary is practically incomparable in the modern game. His contributions on the field include a fairly successful spell as captain, several unplayable sessions with the ball, an ever dependable pair of hands in the slips, some enthralling and bludgering efforts with the bat and no less than TWO successful Ashes campaigns – that’s not a bad shift. It would be a very harsh critic that would say Flintoff did not achieve greatness in this game. In the eyes of the public, Flintoff was and will ever remain a hero of the game – the modern Sir Ian Botham. A working class hero who wore his heart on his sleeve and was never judged by the public because he meant so much to them. After the Ashes triumph of

A true sportsman Freddie Flintoff

2005, naturally the team celebrated but Freddie took it to the max, staggering around the streets of London before stumbling into 10 Downing Street in the kind of condition that would get anyone else arrested on a drunk and disorderly charge. No, this did not matter; Freddie had deserved a drink after being named the Man of the series and who could argue with that decision? Freddie was breathtaking in every department and although it would be harsh on the rest of the squad to say he carried them to victory, HE won that urn. Let us not forget the famous ‘Fredalo’ incident when, during a World Cup campaign no less, Freddie decided to have a few too many drinks, break the team curfew and take a pedalo out for a spin in the early hours of the morning. By all accounts Freddie could have drowned that night however this lack of professionalism was loosely punished and again in the public’s eyes, all was quickly forgotten…

However, as a result of the never ending effort and commitment he put into each appearance in an English shirt, his body has broken down. His joint and limbs are so bruised and battered that he is no longer able to play Test cricket. Let’s be honest though, it was quite some shift he put in. However, by declining this contract and effectively declaring that he will decide when and where he will play for England, Flintoff has opened himself up for criticism. Any sportsman will tell you that playing for your country is the greatest honour a player can have – the absolute pinnacle. But this is a different game now - a modern and professional game with serious financial rewards. For those who feel that Freddie has ‘turned his back on his country’, put yourself in his shoes…would you, a family man with a wife and children, take the £50,000 on offer from the ECB or the £935,000 on offer from the Chennai Super Kings (providing he plays every match during next season’s IPL)? Surely it’s a no brainer!

Now Freddie has come out and said all the right things, stating he would continue playing for Lancashire when possible and would love nothing more than to play for England in World Cups and T20 tournaments. But there is no hiding from the fact that he would only do this on his terms. If Freddie signed that ECB contract, he would only be allowed a window of 3 weeks in the IPL and thus would not collect his full monstrous salary. So Freddie will instead play for Chennai (and maybe other teams as offers from  Australia, South Africa & the West Indies will inevitably follow) and fit matches for England and Lancashire in when he can. Does this seem selfish? Is he now a cricketing gun for hire? Well maybe, but as previously stated, this is a man who has given his all for eleven years and is now entering the final years of his playing career – a career cut short due to the efforts he put in for the England cause. Hasn’t he earned the right to make this call? After all it’s his body; he is the one on the treatment table and the one who has undergone so many operations. Well, the moral dilemma is very much up for debate but Freddie has set a precedent and I have no doubt that several other players are set to follow his lead.

Yesterday, Australian captain Ricky Ponting was quick to voice his support for Flintoff, stating that Freddie had given so much in the Test arena that his body was suffering the consequences. It was very nice of Ponting to stick up for Flintoff – should we assume that you will soon be heading down the same road Ricky? I have no doubt that many players coming to the end of their International careers will do what Flintoff has decided to do, the money on offer is too good to refuse – who can blame them? The likes of Tendulkar, Murli, Jayasuryia, Chanderpaul, Ponting & Kallis immediately spring to mind as consummate professionals who have put in very long shifts for their country. Maybe it’s time to collect the bonuses for all the overtime they have put in? Surely they would also be spared any criticism for deciding to enter part time International retirement? The money is too good to refuse and with the ever increasing demand and popularity for cricket to be shortened, the set up is ideal for them.

But we must tread carefully, as much as some players will have earned the right to make this decision, we must be wary of some cricketers choosing the pre-mentioned mercenary route. I fear that names such as Gayle, Bravo, Sarwan, Sehwag, Pietersen, Dilshan etc might not care about what others think. The appeal of the IPL and life changing money might dilute the honour of wearing International colours. Should this happen then it will be a very sad day, the beautiful sport of cricket could quickly become a seedy and dirty business. Thankfully that day has not yet arrived and with any luck it may never appear.

So farewell Freddie - you will be missed; we do hope to see you again in English colours bit if not, you have earned your stripes. Your contribution and legacy will never be forgotten. You are a role model for so many other cricketers; I only hope that you remain one for the right reasons…

Mr Chan