Flintoff's retirement 'circus' could distract England: Ponting

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels Andrew Flintoff's sudden retirement announcement from Test cricket came as a good news for his side because it might act as a distraction for the hosts in the remainder of the Ashes series.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels Andrew Flintoff's sudden retirement announcement from Test cricket came as a good news for his side because it might act as a distraction for the hosts in the remainder of the Ashes series.

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Ponting said Flintoff's final appearances in the longer version of the game could become "'a bit of a circus'

"If he plays to the end of the series, I'm sure there will be some outside distractions for the England team to deal with," he said.

"Whether Andrew (Flintoff) wanted it that way or not, I've been in teams where it's happened in Australia, and it can be distracting, not only for the person involved but for the captain as well.

"Knowing the stature he has in the game in England, I can see it turning into a farewell tour. You can see that the fans here are very passionate about watching Andrew play, so if they know this is his last chance to play here - and then at Edgbaston and Headingley and so on - I'm sure there will be a bit of a circus around him," he added.