International Cricket Betting: Time for Flintoff to call it a day?

England Cricket / Frank Gregan / 01 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Flintoff has missed more cricket over the last couple of years than he's played

"There are two key words in that quote, the first being 'fit'. When was Andrew Flintoff last fit - really fit - not just patched up sufficiently to be able to add his considerable presence to the team sheet? The second key word is desire, does he still have a burning passion for cricket? Is it the most important thing in his life?"

As Andrew Flintoff tours Dubai on ambassadorial duties and recovers from yet another operation, Frank Gregan wonders whether it's time for England's most charismatic current player to give it all up rather than being rememberd for all the wrong reasons.

The return of the mercurial Andrew Flintoff was expected next month when he was set to resume his contract with the Chennai Super Kings but he has had to withdraw. Freddie was about to start his 'have bat will travel' hired gun tour with the IPL outfit before moving on to whatever and wherever tickled his fancy, including one day action with England.

He is currently in Dubai fulfilling an ambassadorial role whilst recuperating from surgery on his right knee which was carried out at the end of last year's Ashes tour. Unfortunately further surgery was required a fortnight ago, a procedure to remove scar tissue from the same knee and the return of one of England's most famous prodigals has been put back until the summer.

His proposal to pick and choose games particularly where England is concerned has not met with universal approval. Those that have voiced their objections include former England bowler Derek Pringle, now a Telegraph columnist who wrote about Flintoff, "Both he (a freelancer and a one man PLC) and the regime (team, team, team) have changed to a point where they are incompatible and need to go their separate ways."

Flintoff doesn't agree with Pringle and as ever he is not short of confidence or a riposte. He said in an interview last week; "I don't think a team dynamic changes. There's a desire to play one day internationals for England. It seems that everyone's got an opinion on whether I will or I won't. However, if I'm fit and playing well, I'll get in England's best side."

There are two key words in that quote, the first being 'fit'. When was Andrew Flintoff last fit - really fit - not just patched up sufficiently to be able to add his considerable presence to the team sheet? The second key word is desire, does he still have a burning passion for cricket? Is it the most important thing in his life?

There was a clue in a quote given during last week's interview when he said, "Taking the kids for their first day at school was far more rewarding than running Ricky Ponting out at the Oval." Let's get this straight, we all get misty-eyed when our offspring do something for the first time but putting the school run ahead of one of the greatest cricketing moments of the noughties says a lot for Freddie's priorities. Put the boot on the other foot, Test cricket or school run? Ponting's kids would be catching the bus! We all have great memories of Freddie but at 32 he is at the age where there is a possibility he could start to embarrass himself and he deserves a much better legacy.

England aren't playing until the 19th February so the pick of this week's live action is the start of the two match test series between India and South Africa which gets underway on Saturday in Nagpur. The South Africans are in turmoil, coach Mickey Arthur resigned last week and the entire selection panel were sacked. The Proteas drew 1-1 the last time they toured India and were narrowly defeated 1-0 in 2004, proving they will be no pushover in the sub-continent.

The Indians are the number one test team in the world but will surrender that ranking to the South Africans if they lose the series 2-0. The first Test promises to be an intriguing contest with most pundits of the opinion that it is going to be a very close affair, consequently the draw heads the market priced at [2.26]. The Indians are [3.2] to back and the Proteas [3.95].

There are no weather breaks predicted so if the South Africans are to force a draw they will have to occupy the crease for long periods and concentrate in the stifling humidity. The recommendation is to back the Indians at [3.2] but have a small saver in the Test Series Score market on 0-0 at [5.2].