LONDON, Oct 12: Michael Vaughan has warned England captain Andrew Flintoff he must share the burden of his team's bid to retain the Ashes.

In the absence of injured regular skipper Vaughan, Flintoff will lead England's defence of the Ashes starting next month in Brisbane.

But Vaughan insists the talismanic all-rounder, who will be expected to produce with the bat and ball as well as captain the side astutely, must not try to do too much on his own.

The Yorkshire batsman fears the pressure could prove too much for Flintoff if he tries to win the five-Test series single-handed.

Flintoff missed the second half of the English season with an ankle injury and, after surgery to cure the problem, he is only just returning to action at the current ICC Champions Trophy in India.

Vaughan told the Wisden Cricketer magazine: “Knowing Freddie, he will want to lead from the front but he's learning fast about the job and he knows he can't be bowling 30 or 40 overs an innings, particularly on Australian pitches. I think he will use himself in short, sharp bursts.”—AFP