Flintoff makes nostalgic return to Sharjah

Sharjah: It was a nostalgic return to the Sharjah Cricket Stadium for England allrounder Andrew Flintoff yesterday.

This was the ground from where he launched his international career, making his one-day debut against Pakistan on April 7, 1999. Flintoff is here to play for Lancashire in the Arch Trophy.

After bowling for nearly half an hour at the practice nets and fielding in the lush green outfield, he relaxed in one of the seats in the pavilion.

"I can never forget making my one-day debut from here. It was one of my special moments of my life. It is sad to see this stadium look a bit tired now," was his remark as he looked around at the stadium.

"I have fond memories of this ground. Though it was my debut series, England did not win one game on that trip," he recalled.

Flintoff got his first one-day wicket here dismissing Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram. Batting at No 6, he also hit a 50, but England lost the match by 90 runs.

A career threatening ankle injury last year did put the brakes on his glorious career.

Rediscover form

Talking about his recovery from the injury and his hopes of staging a comeback into the England, Flintoff said: "My fourth operation on my ankle was in October. Now I hope that is the end of it. It's been two and half weeks since I have started bowling, and I am also working hard on my batting as well....trying to rediscover the way in which I know I can play."

Flintoff is three short of his 200th Test wicket and four short of his 150th in one-dayers. Does he aim at to reach those landmarks now?

"Frankly, I don't count the number of wickets. I don't like to add it myself. Right now my focus is fully on this pre-season tour. Our season starts in April and it is vital that I am fit to get back into the England team. I have to perform because one cannot just walk into the team. Let me get my cricket right before I start thinking about my aims and ambitions," was his frank response.

Little surprise then that he has even spurned an offer from the Indian Premier League.

"My first aim is to try and get back into a cricket field for Lancashire and England. Moreover, our county season clashes with IPL and so there is no option for English players probably at this moment of time," noted Flintoff, who considers Sachin Tendulkar as the best he has bowled to in his career.

"It was good to see him get runs in Australia. Before his knock in the finals, he did come in for some criticisms. Frankly, I cannot understand how a batsman who has 39 Test and 42 one-day centuries can be criticised. In the finals, he proved how good he is."

Flintoff is in no hurry to look back on his career. "I will look back maybe when I am 60 or 70 years old, sitting on a rocking chair in front of a fire. Right now, I am only 30 and my best years are ahead of me," he remarked confidently.