Flintoff Remains Optimisitc

After England succumbed to a disappointing defeat to Pakistan in their return to action since last seasons heroics, it seems that the Cricket world are already hitting the panic button as an England loss is a popular bwin free bet. Andrew Flintoff has said that England looked a little rusty in their first Test defeat against Pakistan in the bwin review, and he has also said that he would like to see Graham Onions and Monty Panesar brought into the team.

The former England all rounder, insists that the panic buttons shouldn’t be hit just yet as he believes that England were completely taken by surprise in unfamiliar surroundings and believes they can turn things around in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi has been labelled as the batsman dream as there have been three double century’s recorded there in just three tests. It will be difficult for England as a result of the slow wickets but Flintoff insisted there was no reason to believe the world’s number one Test team had suddenly lost all their ability.

“They’ve not played Test cricket for a while, the conditions are pretty different to what they’re used to, and we’ve always been slow starters,” Flintoff told Sky Sports News.

“Pakistan played better than probably anybody thought, and England looked a little bit rusty.

“The hard thing now is trying to get back into the series because the next one’s in Abu Dhabi, it’ll be another low, slow wicket which doesn’t make for entertaining cricket. So it’s going to be tough but I think we can salvage something from it.
Panic

“Everyone’s jumping to the panic buttons already, saying we’re not very good, but it’s only a matter of months ago we were beating everyone so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

Despite the batsmen being the main culprits in the first Test, there looks like being changes to the bowling unit for Abu Dhabi, and Flintoff would like to see a couple of bowlers introduced to the attack.

“It’s often the case, batters run the team! They’re deemed the ones who have the brains so the bowlers get changed all the time.

“I’d love to see Monty in the side. The other guy I’d like to see play is Graham Onions, I think on those wickets he’s slightly smaller, he’s skiddy, he attacks the stumps and he can reverse it, so I’d be tempted to bring Onions in for Tremlett and see how he goes.”

It will be a tricky test for England, but Flintoff acknowledges that it is difficult for most teams to perform well in such conditions, but insists that England will have enough to pull thorugh:

“We’ll be fine, it’s probably the last stage of England’s development as a team is winning out in the sub-continent and there’s no better winter this time to show it.”