LONDON, Sept 12: Australia ‘fear’ Andrew Flintoff, selection chief David Graveney said on Tuesday after unveiling the Lancashire all-rounder as the England captain for the defence of the Ashes.

Flintoff beat off competition from Andrew Strauss to lead England on their tour of Australia even though he has not played international cricket since the end of the home Sri Lanka Test series in June because of a left ankle injury.

Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, said it had been a tough choice but his comments to reporters indicated why Flintoff got the job.

“I think the Australians fear him, as they do quite a lot of our players,” said Graveney after announcing the squad at The Oval, a year to the day since England secured the draw at the south London ground which gave them the Ashes.—AFP