Flintoff will be a big draw in IPL, says Shane Warne
By IANSThursday, July 16, 2009
LONDON - Australian spin great Shane Warne backed Andrew Flintoff’s decision to retire from Test cricket and said the all-rounder will be a big crowd-puller in the Indian Premier League next year.
Warne said Flintoff can now focus on One-day and Twenty20 formats and the latter will suit his style of play.
“He will be great in the IPL next year and for as long as he plays in the competition. He’s not played for Chennai Super Kings in India yet, but I know that they will love him. Twenty20 suits his style. It is intensive, but not too long. He will hit some long balls and bowl some fast ones. It’s simple, really - he’s just a very good cricketer,” Warne Thursday wrote in his column in The Times.
Warne said Flintoff’s retirement could help England perform well in the onging Ashes series.
“Andrew Flintoff will have put a lot of thought into his announcement. We will have to wait and see what impact it has on the rest of the Ashes series, whether it proves to be a distraction for England or whether they draw inspiration for the next four games after what, for them, was a below-par performance in Cardiff.”
“Freddie is a team player through and through, so he must feel that it will help the side to gel. At the same time, if you want to be devil’s advocate, there are similar instances where teams have suffered,” Warne wrote.
The Australian said the timing of the retirement is one of the most important decisions a cricketer can ever make.
“But it can also be the easiest. During my own career I remember players saying: ‘I just knew it was time to go’ and wondering how that could be. A few years later, I knew exactly what they meant.”
“Flintoff’s body has gone through so many stresses and strains. It is a hard life being a fast bowler and the injuries have probably just worn him down like water pounding on a rock. Other priorities - children and family - will be at the forefront of his mind as well as the good of the team. I consider myself a good mate and wish him all the best.”
