Spotlight on Flintoff (3 July 1999)
Andy Flintoff and floodlit cricket were made for each other
03-Jul-1999
3 July 1999
Spotlight on Flintoff
Lancashire Evening Telegraph
Andy Flintoff and floodlit cricket were made for each other.
The powerful Lancashire all-rounder is England's biggest hitter since
Ian Botham, with an amazing record of 279 runs from 151 balls in
one-day cricket this season - and an average of a six every eight
balls.
And Saturday night's CGU National League game against Essex Eagles at
Old Trafford is the sort of match he loves.
"It's a different type of atmosphere because it attracts a different
type of crowd," said the 21-year-old.
"You get a lot more young people through the turnstiles, and everyone
enjoys themselves with a few beers.
"I'd sooner watch that sort of cricket than any other, and hopefully
I can get a few runs and help us get a win.
"I seem to be hitting a few sixes this season, but I'm not going to
go out there on Saturday trying to keep up my record, making sure I
hit every eighth ball for six. IF I get any more sixes, that's a
bonus. And if people like the way I play, that's great."
Essex have already suffered from Freddie's broad blade this season,
as he smashed 143 off 66 balls with 15 fours and nine sixes when
Lancashire Lightning played the Eagles in Chelmsford.
"It would be great if I could play like that again but I don't think
it's very likely," he added. "That sort of innings is the sort of
thing that only comes along every so often."
It came along again for Flintoff six weeks later, when in his first
innings after the bitter disappointment of England's World Cup defeat
he hammered Gloucestershire for 158 in 105 balls.
This time there were 26 fours and only five sixes, but it is still
the fastest first class century of the season.
Flintoff was disappointed to miss out on England selection for the
first Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston, but at least it means he
will be able to play for the Lightning at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And he's hoping that Lancashire repeat their experiment of letting
the players walk out to music of their own choice.
"I'd either go for Eye of the Tiger, or the House of Pain's Jump
Around," he said with a grin.
Old Trafford could be a house of pain for the Essex bowlers, if
Freddie gets going.
Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)