Aussies to target Flintoff

Australia have revealed plans to target Andrew Flintoff, as they believe it could bring down the rest of the England side.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said of the strategy: “He’s such a vital part of their side, if you happen to keep him down for a few Test matches in a row or a few performances here and there, it might drag a couple of their other players down with him.”

It is almost tradition for Australia to target opposing captains, to weaken the rest of the side, but if they succeed it will hurt this England team more than most. Flintoff will be leading the side as well as playing a large role with bat and ball, all after recovering from ankle surgery.

Ponting is also hoping Flintoff’s injury problems have made him more vulnerable: “It is important that we do that with him, more so for his playing abilities than his leadership, we all saw last time around that he can be dynamic with the bat and the ball.”