Nelson's column... Farewell to Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff's long goodbye to Test cricket is set to turn into one of the fondest farewells in sporting history after his heroics at Lord's.

He left the field like a triumphant Roman emperor having inspired England to their first Ashes victory in St John's Wood since 1934.

Flintoff defied his critics and a dodgy knee to produce one of the greatest displays of fast bowling that cricket's headquarters has ever seen.

His three wickets on the final day of the second Test gave him figures of 5-92 and earned him a place in a select band of English cricketers who have scored a century and achieved the hallowed 'five-fer' at Lord's.

Whatever one might think of the way in which Flintoff announced his pending retirement in mid-series, the lion-hearted Lancastrian is likely to go down as one of the game's true greats, and not just in England.

Even Shane Warne, not one to drool over English deeds, was almost lost for words as Freddie hauled his side into a 1-0 series lead.

But in among the latest bout of Ashes mania, the swatting of sixes into his watching father's hands against the Windies in 2004 and 'man of the series' heroics in 2006 in India, we must not forget the times when Freddie let England down.

Among the champagne moments, Flintoff's capacity for self-destruction often had a damaging effect on England performances. The conveniently-forgotten 2006/07 Ashes whitewash has since been blamed on Flintoff's wayward behaviour by none other than coach Duncan Fletcher. The World Cup that followed was equally pitiful, and good ol' Fred's 4am antics on a pedalo epitomised the side's amateurish attitude.

Analysis of the stats also fails to flatter him. Before Lord's, just two five-wicket hauls, five centuries and no 10-fers in a match. Up against the man with whom he's so often compared, Ian Botham (27, 14 and 4 respectively) his record certainly fits Michael Atherton's view that Flintoff is "a very good player, but not quite a great one".

But despite his shortcomings, Flintoff will remain a symbol of England's rise from bottom of the world rankings in 1999 into the more cohesive and potent force of the 21st century. He's an iconic figure - a hard-drinking, hard-grafting working class hero who - for good reasons or bad - was impossible to ignore.

How will you remember Flintoff's Test career? What is your favourite Freddie moment? Give us your views using the boxes below.

Comments

[david]

Over rated bulled up by the media, but then today tattoos and unshaven faces are the ticket to fame in our pathetic media. He wont figure in any list of test cricketers within a few months of retiring

[harryh]

despite his shortcomings both on the pitch and off, he had an affinity with the spectators - US and like us he does his best with what he's got. As for Michael Atherton, he should keep his opinions to himself lest people disect his pathetic career!

[Gordon]

A decent all-rounder, who occasionally remembered he was there to play cricket and not make a fool of himself.

He isn't in Botham's league, but the again, Botham was never in the same league as Gary Sobers or Mike Procter and many more.

Strictly third division.

[Peter]

A good professional is consistently good. Flintoff isn't. A few spectacular plays in a career spanning years? Nothing much since 2005. Not great. Barely good. Botham was great. Surely as a nation we can do better than this present sorry lot.

[Roy Fox]

Thunk - what about FIVE good performances this morning?

[Roy Fox]

Thunk - what about FIVE good performances, this morning?

[Roy]

A very good player with a great heart and massive strength. He seems to have been battling against his body for the last four years, so it's hardly surprising he hasn't sustained his 2005 form. How many others have? And don't forget Botham liked a drink or two after lights out, too.

[Paul, Bournemouth]

Leave the man alone. This was a difficult decision for him and a brave one in the circumstances. Get off his back and let him concentrate on the limited overs game where he is better suited.

[thunk]

Hey, you don't have to do much in sport now. A couple of good performances and next thing you know, its a 2million pound house, legend status, etc..... wtf is going on ?

[rob]

take no notice of the negativity he made us all smile in 2005 and will always be remembered for that and its enough for me

[royston]

He's a first class player on and off the field, good luck to the man, I suppose you all think you are perfect???

[Jacko]

Much comment from never didders, and never wasers.
You did your bit Flinters WHICH IS A HECK OF A LOT MORE THAN MOST.
Do it your way & good luck lad.

[george deves]

must agree with piper,why the big gasp? he has done nothing for england for some time, a botham he aint! he was missed

[Keith Andrew]

It was a surprise that Flintoff said he was going to retire as I thought he already had. Look what he has achieved in this series need I say more!!!

[Samuel]

He's been a good servant for England over the years.You can not question his heart, he puts everything into his performances.I do however think, he could have been slightly more reserved in his shot selection. He sometimes tended to play shots to balls,that were not there to be hit.But without a shadow of doubt his finest hour was the ashes victory in 2005, and that's what I'll remember him for, the most.

[jock]

if flintoff was born australian he would not even get a game for their second eleven

[Katie]

An iconic figure but would have been so much better had he bowled a little fuller in his career - beats the bat too many times for me, I would have liked to see him change a little, was lethal when reverse swinging the ball when Troy Cooley was bowling coach but I really don't like the shape of England fast bowlers these days and Flintoff looks like he's bowling from memory rather than trying to get batsmen out. I didn't think he should be selected for this series and I stand by that - his day is over; his body is apparently too tired for test cricket but is okay for 1 days and of course the big money IPL league - strange that isn't it. For my mind he's finished as a one-day player as well. You always get the feeling with him these days that its all a bit of an effort for him and he's doing us a bit of a favour really by being there at all.

[dave]

what a load of rubbish,in a sport where they actually do sweet fa, its not exactly demanding is it , you have a little run and throw a ball wow. this tosser should try doing a real job working till they're 65 or 70 for p--s poor wages. cricket is the most boring sport with the most boring people involved, it's more exciting to watch paint dry.

[Ottayan]

A good cricketer who consistently failed to play to his potential.

[Piper]

Not sure what the fuss is all about. Great player until the end of 2005 Ashes. In the last four years he's done nothing except for missing team buses and getting drunk.

[bill, dagenham]

He hasn't done much since Ashes 2005, it's amazing how people think he is already a legend, they forget 2007.