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| November 10, 2006 | Friday | Shawwal 17, 1427 |
Strauss backs Flintoff to be great captain
SYDNEY, Nov 9: Andrew Strauss has no regrets about losing the England captaincy to Andrew Flintoff but says he still wants to help him out during the Ashes series in Australia.
Although Flintoff has the makings of a great leader, he will still need all the support of his senior players if England are to retain the Ashes, Strauss said.
“The England captaincy is not an easy job. Any touring side to Australia realises that this is probably as tough a tour as you get,” he told reporters in Sydney.
“Anything us senior players can do to make his job easier then we've got to make sure we take the responsibility and do that.”
Michael Vaughan captained England to victory in last year's epic Ashes series but has been sidelined by injury, opening the way for Flintoff to take over.
Strauss temporarily led the team this year while Flintoff was recovering from ankle surgery but happily made way for Flintoff when he was passed fit for the Ashes.
“I've still got a very important job to do as a senior player,” Strauss said.
“We've always had quite a strong senior player management. We all have an important voice off the pitch in terms of preparation and even to a certain extent on the team selection.”
There are concerns that the added pressures of captaincy could impact on Flintoff's busy role as the team's all-rounder but Strauss said he had no doubts Flintoff would cope with the extra demands.
“On the pitch is going to be where it's most important because he's going to have his work cut out,” Strauss said.
“He's going to have a lot of things on his plate and it's important that we are his eyes and ears at times and if we see something keep the advice flowing through.
“Everything he's done so far in his career suggests he'll be more than able to cope with what comes his way. If the players play to their potential then it could be one of the greatest-ever series to be an England captain.” - Reuters
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