Flintoff is the obvious choice, says Botham by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

A Flintoff

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DateLine: 2nd July 2006

 

Former England all-rounder Ian Botham has insisted that Andrew Flintoff should lead the England side during the Ashes series in Australia to be held from November.

 

Vaughan, who led England to a memorable Ashes triumph on home soil last year, pulled out for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan with a longstanding knee injury.

 

Flintoff, currently out with an ankle injury, led an inexperienced England team to a 1-1 Test series draw in India earlier this year.

 

Botham, a former England great, said: “There is no one else for the job if Michael Vaughan is unfit. He (Flintoff) is the obvious choice. He deserves to captain England because he has done it the hard way. He has the respect of his own players and the opposition and he has done it by performing " added Botham.