The Hero

He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy

Two weeks ago a disgraced Freddie Flintoff had slept in and missed the team bus for a visit to the war memorials in Belgium. As usual Pedalo Fred's flaws were aired in public and the press stood on their usual high morale ground. Today the column inches are filled with such finely crafted journalism that it's almost impossible to think that both events happened in the same universe. Such is the triumph of sport that all of flaws are forgotten.

At Lord's yesterday Flintoff bowled one of the great spells of fast bowling I think modern test cricket has ever seen. Ten overs of hostile accurate bowling. Such was the power of this spell that each ball was a stern examination of technique and temperament delivered ultimately to the Australian tail. Nerves were soon settled when Brad Haddin was dismissed in almost cursory manner. The body language of Flintoff gave off an air of inevitability. He was a shear force of nature. Like a raging hurricane there was nothing to stop this onslaught.

In today's Times Simon Barnes writes '...Flintoff’s may not go down in history as the greatest of great careers. But Flintoff can do greatness — genuine greatness — on a seasonal basis, as he did four years ago, and on a daily basis, as he did yesterday. His thundering spell of mesmeric hostility first snuffed out the candle flame of Australian hope and then plunged them into the darkness of defeat. He bowled for an hour and a half in excess of 90mph, and every ball was a drama.'

In a wider context though this was no one man show. The batting of Strauss and Cook on the first morning took the game away from Australia. The second innings contributions of Collingwood and Prior maintained the momentum when England wobbled and Grame Swann finally showed some form in the second innings taking four wickets including the vital wicket of the brilliant but crestfallen Micheal Clarke.

Looking forward to the next test Australia have some serious problems in their camp. Mitchell Johnson looks lost at the moment. There are concerns that the tinkering of Troy Cooley has hindered the development of Australia's top bowler. The form of Phillip Hughes is a worry and the lack of cover for an out of form opening batsman is a major concern.

Not all is rosy with England either. KP is struggling with his Achilles injury. Something he now admits is affecting his form with the bat. If KP does not make the third test then expect an inform Ian Bell to return. Question marks still surround Ravi Bopara at three but don't expect any changes unless they are enforced by injury.