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| December 29, 2006 | Friday | Zilhaj 07, 1427 |
England still have some fight left, says Flintoff
MELBOURNE, Dec 28: He was an Ashes hero last year, but Andrew Flintoff now faces the ignominy of becoming the first English captain in more than 80 years to suffer a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Australia unless his team can produce an incredible form reversal.
The odds on Australia completing a series whitewash will be very short given the way they won the fourth Test in less than three days here on Thursday and that the fifth Test in Sydney is the farewell for champion bowlers Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, but Flintoff vowed his side would not concede.
Flintoff said the English were determined to finally give their travelling band of loyal fans – known as the Barmy Army – something to cheer about in Sydney, with the fifth Test starting on Jan 2.“It has been a tough trip, it has been a tough three days,” he said.
“I sit here obviously disappointed, upset and most of the emotions which are all negative.
“But we have got one game left ... we've come to the final one now and we don't want to leave this country having been turned over 5-0; we want to win a game of cricket.
“I think the lads can lift themselves, in our dressing room is a great spirit.“It is still an important game for us, it is important for our team and it is important for a lot of people who are going to be in Sydney as well.
“Myself and the rest of the lads are going to go out there and put a show on.”
The English appeared a dispirited bunch by the end of the fourth Test, but Flintoff said it was an illusion and their pride remained intact.
“There is a lot of character and a lot of pride, I will reiterate that,” Flintoff said. “(The pride) is still there and it is not nice when that is questioned and I'll stand up for myself and every one of the lads.”
Flintoff said England needed more of its players to perform if it was to upset Australia in Sydney.
The last England skipper to lose a series 5-0 to Australia was Johnny Douglas back in 1921.
Flintoff was blunt when asked how much he wanted to avoid a 5-0 scoreline.
“I don't think that question needs to be asked,” he said. “I don't think anyone would want to do that.”—AFP
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