Ashes hype heats up

The hype ahead of the upcoming Ashes series in Australia refuses to relent, with both Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne adding their two cents on the series in recent days. McGrath believes Andrew Flintoff may be overworked, while Warne appears to be champing at the bit to start what may be his final Ashes series.

Andrew Flintoff is set to combine the role of key all-rounder with that of captain for England, and it is a workload which McGrath believes may affect his performance.

“It’s a massive ask, there’s no doubt about that,” said the legendary seamer. “He’s such a key player with bat and ball, and if you throw the captaincy on top of that, maybe it will affect his game a little”.

McGrath did follow this with a compliment, however – he claimed that “if anyone can handle it, he can – he’s a class player”. Flintoff proved as much in last year’s series, where he contributed over 400 runs and many crucial wickets.

Warne, meanwhile, claims he is “looking forward to some great cricket this summer” – he also admits that this may be the final Ashes series for many of Australia’s ‘old guard’.

“Some of us are not getting any younger and this may be our last chance to win them back as players,” said the 37-year-old leg-spinner. “Since we lost the Ashes we’ve all been looking to work hard on our games and win them back.”

The series begins with the first Test at Brisbane on November 23.