Flintoff factor: Can146;t take glint off

Along with manager Steve McClaren, there are many sweating over David Beckham8217;s fitness before England8217;s high-profile friendly against Germany this Wednesday.

Along with manager Steve McClaren, there are many sweating over David Beckham8217;s fitness before England8217;s high-profile friendly against Germany this Wednesday. And at the Rose Bowl, the stakes are equally high with the one-day series getting underway. But the difference is that Peter Moores is very much at peace.

Contrast the legendary mid-fielder with the equally inspirational and headline-maker Andrew Flintoff, who is all set to make this English one-day side different from the one that lost the Test series to India.

Skipper Paul Collingwood is delighted at Flintoff8217;s return to the side. 8220;You obviously feel happy when a world-class player like him comes into your squad. He8217;s a two-in-one player and brings a great balance to the team,8221; he says.

There is a lot of respect for Flintoff in the Indian dressing room as well. Dravid says Flintoff brings a lot of character and energy into the England team. 8220;I think with the kind of skills he brings along in batting, fielding and bowling, it is critical to the team and he kind of charges up the dressing room. I think it8217;s great to watch Flintoff, rather than play against,8221; says Dravid humourously.

The big man spent most of Monday afternoon on photo-ops and charity activities that normally precede a big series, but that was after he had a good stint with the bat and ball with his teammates at the Rose Bowl.

Flintoff himself has been raring to have a crack at the Indian team. 8220;It would be nice to start a series against one of the best sides in the world. I think when you are not playing because of injury you miss the action you don8217;t want to miss. I have a huge hunger in me and I want to make amends. I think some of the best years of my career are ahead,8221; he says.

The Lancashire all-rounder has a lot of respect for the Indian faster bowlers, 8220;I think the two left-armers bowled really well, they bowled from different angles and took the ball away from the bat, coming round the wicket, which is not easy.

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8220;The white ball swings well first-up and it will be interesting to see how they manage in the middle overs. I am practising hard and getting the bowling machine out to play out some balls,8221; he says.

Over the next seven match days, the Indian team would want to decipher Flintoff8217;s form. The sooner it does the better it is for Team India.