Andrew Flintoff all set to give one final punch

Some exceptional players cannot be ascertained by their statistics. They are rated as great players only because of their contributions to team victories and the game of cricket. Andrew Flintoff who is playing in fifth and final Ashes test is one such evidence. Flintoff’s contributions to England victories and cricket were very imminent.

Andrew Flintoff started his career slowly and calmly. But always displayed promise to become big. Under the noble captaincy of Michael Vaughan, he went to his peak performances, especially in Ashes 2005 in which England Ashes after 16 years. Andrew Flintoff has taken 14 wickets and scored 402 runs to script England’s Ashes victory. He declared himself that he is finest alrounders to reckon with. With his huge frame he is the crowd favorites in the likes of Ian Botham and Miller. That means he declared himself as a very prominent alrounders of the world with his effective performances.

Flintoff who is retiring from Test after Ashes series has scored 3,816 runs and 225 wickets. Flintoff revealed that he is proud to play for England and involve in victories for them. He joked that if some one asked him at the age of 20 whether he would play 70 tests for England, he could have snapped their arms.

Anderson needs victory for Flintoff

James Anderson urged his team mates to lift their perfomances to win fifth and final test oval. He wants that victory to be dedicated to Andrew Flintoff who is playing is last Test match. Andrew Flintoff is declared fit and will be playing in Oval. Anderson wants to send Flintoff with the winning note that too Ashes victory.

Australian vice captain Michael Clarke has told that Australians would not play for a draw as that will help them retain Ashes. He told that in 50 odd Tests played, they only played for winning and never forced a draw. He would like to desperately win the fifth test match and by that lift Ashes.

Michael Clarke is very consistent so far in the current Ashes series. He has scored 445 runs at an average of 89 with two tons and a crisp 93. His overall Test average is 50 plus, which is the benchmark of the great player.

Kent’s Joe Denly in England ODI squad

Uncapped Kent’s opening Joe Denly has been included in the seven match ODI series against Australia and in the Champions trophy. Denly is also been included in T20 squad that happens after the fifth the final test at Oval.

National selector Geoff Miller have told that Joe Denly have performed excellently in ODI games in domestic circuit. With Kevin Pietersen not in the seat it is time for Denly to show what he is capable of.

Andrew Flintoff who will be retiring from Test cricket after Oval test is also named both in ODI and T20 squad. Adil Rashid and Luke Wright who played for T20 world cup too named in both ODI and T20 squad.

Andrew Strauss will be captaining ODI and Paul Collingwood would be leading T20 side.

Its time to become a hero says Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen told that it is time for English players to become a hero by performing and getting Ashes in the fifth and final Test match at Oval.

It does not matter how many centuries have been made or how many five wicket haul has been achieved, performing and winning the final test is bigger than any thing, he told in an article. He told he would visiting the team to see players smiling and get abuse from them for not playing on Thursday. He would not advise them as it is not his job.

English players should switch off TVs and radio and should concentrate on what to do in the final. They should calmly assess and try to emulate what Flintoff has done, he added. He asked the players to stand before the mirror and ask themselves, ‘do you want to become a hero and savior for England’.

Jonathan Trott replaces Ravi Bopara for Oval Test

Jonathan Trott of Warwickshire is replacing Ravi Bopara in the fifth and final test to be played in Oval on Thursday. Trott is expected to play in middle order with his follow county man Ian Bell. Monty Panesar too might get a definite chance to pair with Graeme Swann.

England selectors were much convinced with the performances of Trott and Bell in the Warwickshire match against Nottinghamshire by scoring centuries. That means prospects of Mark Ramprakash and Robert Key playing the Oval Test is becoming null. It is understood Ashley Giles who played key role in their inclusion in to the team as he himself is the director of cricket for Warwickshire.

Another key thing for England is Andrew Flintoff right knee is improving and all set to play in Oval. He might come in place of Graham Onions. Onions have so far done well but lacking swinging deliveries like James Anderson.

England Squad for Oval Test:

1 Andrew Strauss (captain), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Ian Bell, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Jonathan Trott, 6 Matt Prior (wk), 7 Andrew Flintoff, 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steve Harmison, 12 Monty Panesar, 13 Graham Onions, 14 Ryan Sidebottom.