Flintoff hailed as world's best

Sultan

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Flintoff was the star of England's Ashes success last year
England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been named Leading Cricketer of the World for 2005 by Wisden.

The 28-year-old, who was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year last year for his Ashes heroics, edged out Australian Shane Warne to the accolade.

"I'm pleased to have been given the award," said Flintoff. "It's very humbling and obviously a great honour.

"The last 12 months have been fantastic for English cricket and I'm looking forward to building on that success."

Flintoff, England's stand-in captain in India in the absence of Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick, is the third recipient of Wisden's award.

Warne and Australia captain Ricky Ponting were the previous two winners.

Ponting and his Australia team-mate Brett Lee were named among Wisden's five cricketers of the year, a list which also included England trio Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and Kevin Pietersen.

Players can only been named once in their career as one of the almanack's five cricketers of the year.

Wisden editor Matthew Engel revealed only Flintoff and Warne had been in the running for the top award for the 143rd edition of the cricket bible.

He explained: "Flintoff and Warne are shown embracing after the Ashes series [on the front cover of the 2006 Wisden published on Wednesday] - but one is just a fraction above the other.

"We felt in the end that 2005 was the year when Freddie touched greatness."

Flintoff scored a total of 402 runs during the Ashes series - at an average of 40.20 - and took 24 wickets in the five-Test series at 27.29 apiece.

Pietersen was delighted with his honour adding: "It's a fantastic achievement and it's good for Simon and Hoggy as well, so hats off to those boys.

"Hopefully we can make it a really great all-round next 12 months."

BBC
 
Ah, the good old Wisden 'cricketers of the year'. Oh how drool it is to relive the Empire all over again. :lol: :rolleyes:
 
Wisden's a bit of a joke. It's very biased towards English and Australian cricketers. And it's awards are generally based around the English summer.
 
I don't see a bias in Freddy being hailed - he has been phenomenal over the last year.

Well deserved.
 
Yes, it's well deserved. But I'm talking about how they cast their votes. The top five cricketers were chosen from last summer's cricket in England. It's nearly always the case.

It's really stuck in the past. Much like Lords and the whole MCC thing.
 
Spoony said:
Yes, it's well deserved. But I'm talking about how they cast theie votes. The top five cricketers were chosen from last summer's cricket in England. It's nearly always the case.

It's really stuck in the past. Much like Lords and the whole MCC thing.
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I see where you're coming from - Jones has been injured most of the year.
 
Sultan said:
I see where you're coming from - Jones has been injured most of the year.
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Brett Lee's averaged in his mid-30's last year. Which for a bowler is poor. He's was also named in the top 5. In a way, Dumpster's right, it harks back to the days of the empire.

Jolly good, spiffing. I can't stand the stuffy nature of the game, in England, sometimes. Old Trafford > Lords.
 
Spoony said:
Yes, it's well deserved. But I'm talking about how they cast their votes. The top five cricketers were chosen from last summer's cricket in England. It's nearly always the case.

It's really stuck in the past. Much like Lords and the whole MCC thing.
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But that series was a one-off. Who's been nominated previously?
 
Slabber said:
But that series was a one-off. Who's been nominated previously?
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You can't name the best cricketers of the year on the basis of one series.
 
Spoony said:
Old Trafford > Lords.
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Old Trafford is in danger of being strippped of Test Match status since the crowds are low, the stadium is run-down, and it always rains.
 
Spoony said:
You can't name the best cricketers of the year on the basis of one series.
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We gave honours to the entire cricket team based on one series.
 
Slabber said:
Old Trafford is in danger of being strippped of Test Match status since the crowds are low, the stadium is run-down, and it always rains.
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No, it's not, that's Vijay like bollocks. There may not be an Old Trafford due to the fact Lancs are thinking of moving. The stadium is in bad need of repair. But the crowds are always excellent. And unlike Lords, vibrant.
 
Spoony said:
No, it's not, that's Vijay like bollocks. There may not be an Old Trafford due to the fact Lancs are thinking of moving. The stadium is in bad need of repair. But the crowds are always excellent. And unlike Lords, more vibrant.
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The Ashes was the first time Old Trafford has sold out a Test in ages. It was regularly half-full.

Check out the stats if you've got them.
 
Slabber said:
The Ashes was the first time Old Trafford has sold out a Test in ages. It was regularly half-full.

Check out the stats if you've got them.
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It's not been getting major test matches, lately, aside from the Ashes. But it's nearly always full.
 
Slabber said:
England v Pakistan, 2nd Test at Old Trafford: Only 32,000 of the 76,000 seats available for the first four days of the game have been sold.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_talk/1359496.stm#say

he he
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Old Trafford Test heading for a sell-out

ENGLAND's thrilling win in India this week has prompted big demand for the Second nPower Test with Pakistan at Old Trafford in July.

A spokesman for Lancs said: "Following England's win in India on Wednesday morning, the Old Trafford phones have been red hot as cricket fans clamour to reserve their seats for the England v Pakistan 2nd nPower Test.

"Already public tickets for Friday and Saturday of the Old Trafford Test match are sold out and with Thursday and Sunday selling fast fans are advised to book immediately to avoid disappointment."

To contact the Ticket Office, call 0870 062 5050.

There are still some hospitality places available for Thursday, Friday and Saturday's play and details can be obtained by contacting Tina Harmer on 0870 062 4637.

Details on all international matches at Old Trafford on www.lccc.co.uk
 
Sultan said:
Old Trafford Test heading for a sell-out

ENGLAND's thrilling win in India this week has prompted big demand for the Second nPower Test with Pakistan at Old Trafford in July.

A spokesman for Lancs said: "Following England's win in India on Wednesday morning, the Old Trafford phones have been red hot as cricket fans clamour to reserve their seats for the England v Pakistan 2nd nPower Test.

"Already public tickets for Friday and Saturday of the Old Trafford Test match are sold out and with Thursday and Sunday selling fast fans are advised to book immediately to avoid disappointment."

To contact the Ticket Office, call 0870 062 5050.

There are still some hospitality places available for Thursday, Friday and Saturday's play and details can be obtained by contacting Tina Harmer on 0870 062 4637.

Details on all international matches at Old Trafford on www.lccc.co.uk
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My quote was from 2001. Obviously cricket is big box office everywhere now. It's the Ashes effect.
 
GiggsysGirl said:
:confused:
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I'm sure I've used 'drool' as a kid in the 80s in an ironic/sarcastic sense. Here's what dictionary.com has to say:

Informal. To make an extravagant show of appreciation or desire.
 
Spoony said:
Brett Lee's averaged in his mid-30's last year. Which for a bowler is poor. He's was also named in the top 5. In a way, Dumpster's right, it harks back to the days of the empire.

Jolly good, spiffing. I can't stand the stuffy nature of the game, in England, sometimes. Old Trafford > Lords.
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I don't think Lee's average does him much justice though as he has played a lot better than his average might suggest, in the ODI he has been brilliant and his batting has been very handy in the lower order. He got smacked about in some of the Ashes matches which made his average look a bit bad. Taken around 70 wickets in his last 15 matches which isn't that bad, like you say a tad expensive due to him being either brilliant or terrible! Example is Trent Bridge when in the first innings he was smacked around but in the 2nd innings he bowled one of the most fiery spells you will ever see
 
A big call but he had a great year. Warne in particular can feel a little hard done by but given the close contest it was likely to go to a player from the winning side all othe things being equal.

Well done Freddie.
 
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