Flintoff asks selectors to keep faith in BoparaOctober 4th, 2009 LONDON - Andrew Flintoff, who is recovering from his sixth and final operation, has asked the England selectors to keep faith in the talent of Indian origin batsman Ravi Bopara. Flintoff thinks dropping Bopara would be a huge mistake, saying: "Ravi is a fantastic talent for English cricket and I'm certain he'll come good in Test cricket."
"It's a joy to watch him play and he is the kind of exuberant character the game needs.
Flintoff has earned the right to be a gun for hire: BothamSeptember 17th, 2009 LONDON - Former England cricketer Ian Botham has said that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who has retired from Test cricket, has earned every right to enjoy his freedom after retirement. "There comes a point in every person's life when they feel ready to take complete responsibility for what they can and cannot do, but not everyone is lucky enough to be able to enjoy that freedom," Botham wrote in his article in The Mirror.
PCB blames Sri Lanka Cricket for delay in laying school pitchesSeptember 4th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected media reports that it is purposely delaying laying three international standard pitches in one of Sri Lanka's famous 135-year-old schools, and instead blamed the Sri Lankan cricket authorities for the delay. "The board wishes to clarify that the delay has not been made on the part of the PCB.
Sober Flintoff savoured Ashes glory with a tear and Red Bull cansAugust 25th, 2009 LONDON - Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff stunned England fans when he emerged from boozy celebrations sober, and said how the emotion of the day moved him to tears. Flintoff clutched cans of Red Bull as he modestly denied he was one of the all-time greats.
England's aim is to become No.1 Test team: BroadAugust 25th, 2009 LONDON - Fast bowler Stuart Broad, who was man of the match in Sunday's 197-run series-clinching win over Australia at The Oval, has said that England's aim is to become the No.1 Test team following their 2-1 Ashes series triumph. But Broad warned that he and England have much more to prove yet.
England has no chance of winning Ashes: ThompsonAugust 13th, 2009 LONDON - Former pace legend Jeff Thompson has said that England has no chance of winning the Ashes, because Australia no longer fears Andrew Flintoff. "Bringing Flintoff back for the final Test at The Oval next week won't fool our blokes.
England needs a hero like Botham in Headingly Test: KPAugust 9th, 2009 LONDON - England needs a hero in the form of Ian Botham to make something of the fourth Ashes Test, which they are sight of losing inside three days, said injured batsman Kevin Pietersen. "This match may have slipped away - although while we're still fighting I'll be praying for a miracle - but there's still the Fifth Test to play and that's when we'll need somebody to stand up and be counted.
UK paper spills out what Langer really thinks of England cricketersAugust 9th, 2009 LONDON - In an amazing document detailing the thoughts of Somerset captain and former Australia opener Justin Langer, English cricketers are witheringly described as "lazy", "shallow" and "flat", and as players who "love being comfortable". Fast bowler James Anderson can be "a bit of a pussy" if things do not go his way and skipper Andrew Strauss can be too "conservative".
Silencing the Barmy Army would be crazy: BothamAugust 7th, 2009 Leeds (UK),Aug.7 (ANI): Former England captain and star all-rounder Ian Botham has termed calls for silencing the Barmy Army as ridiculous and crazy. In article for The Mirror, Botham questioned moves by the ECB to curb the chat of fans loyal to the England cricket team.
Botham defends anglers, brands TV presenter Jones 'stupid and arrogant'July 27th, 2009 LONDON - Former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham has branded as "stupid and arrogant" a call by Griff Rhys Jones, the television presenter, for canoeists to "disturb as many fishermen as possible". The Telegraph quoted Botham, a keen angler, as saying that Rhys Jones knew little about the countryside and the benefits of fishing for Britain's rivers.
No sex ban for England cricket teamJuly 13th, 2009 CARDIFF - England's Ashes team has escaped a sex ban - as long as they stay off the booze. The Daily Express quoted a team source as saying: "We've got no reason to believe sex affects performance, unlike a few too many beers.
Obama inspires ArsenalJune 28th, 2009 LONDON - US President Barack Obama has become a significant talisman in Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's team talks in their quest to end their four-year run without a trophy. Dutch striker Robin van Persie, who is also fascinated by Obama's incredible success, admits he is trying to copy the great man's demeanour, reports News of The World.
Soft balls 'ruining' English school cricket, says Tory MPJune 10th, 2009 LONDON - A Conservative Member of Parliament has warned that the future of English cricket is in jeopardy because state schools are opting for soft balls, rather than the traditional 'corkies'. According to Tony Baldry, just one in 25 matches now played in state schools involve the use of corkies.
Party boy Symonds struggled to adjust to changing Oz player regimeJune 6th, 2009 BRISBANE - Party boy Andrew Symonds claims he rebelled for the final time because he could not adjust to the changing culture and restrictive rules of the Australian cricket team. According to the Daily Telegraph, the troubled cricketer is set to admit that he could simply no longer abide by new expectations.
If in England, migrant staff should speak English, says annoyed FlintoffJune 2nd, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff says it annoys him when migrant hotel staff in England are unable to communicate in English. "It annoys me when I phone a hotel receptionist in my own country and they don't understand what I'm saying because they don't speak English.
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