The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Flintoff can be a great captain, says Imran

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 17, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Flintoff can be a great captain, says Imran

London: Asserting that being an all-rounder, Andrew Flintoff would always have a better understanding of a bowler's needs while leading, former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan said the talismanic player has all the attributes to be a ``great captain'' for England.

``I've always believed an all-rounder has an extra advantage,'' Imran told BBC Five Live here.

``He (Flintoff) can see things from a batsman's and bowler's point of view. A captain who understands bowlers is important — the main captaincy is done on the field,'' he added.

Imran said Flintoff was a perfect replacement for regular captain Michael Vaughan if he fails to return from injury. The former Pakistan great said most batting captains fail to understand the needs of a bowler.

Frustrating part

``I used to get frustrated as a bowler when dealing with a batting captain, especially in Pakistan, when they didn't understand the concept of reverse swing,'' he said citing personal experience.

``We would be reverse swinging the ball and I would tell the captain don't take the new ball and they wouldn't understand that,'' he added — UNI

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