LONDON, April 18: England fast bowler Simon Jones has told critics to give Andrew Flintoff a break after the star all-rounder came under fire following the team's dismal World Cup.

England crashed out of the Caribbean showpiece on Tuesday when they were humiliated by nine wickets by South Africa in a match which was so one-sided that the Proteas had victory wrapped up with 30 overs to spare.

But Jones believes that Flintoff, who starred alongside him in the 2005 Ashes series, should not be singled out.

“He's looked a bit out of form but it happens, you can't be good all the time can you?” Jones told the BBC.

“Fred (Flintoff) is such a key player that if he's not playing well then the whole team suffers.”

Jones missed the World Cup through injury but is desperate to reclaim his place in the England team ahead of the summer Test series against the touring West Indies and India.

“I don't know what to make of it (the World Cup defeat) because I wasn't there, but England do need Fred firing on all cylinders if they're going to succeed,” said Jones.—AFP