Flintoff delights and entertains

Signalling the arrival of the most dynamic England cricketer for a generation, small boys whistle with delight in anticipation of heroic deeds to come.

Penetrating the cheers and applause as Andy Flintoff saunters to the crease, a shrill note has resounded around English cricket fields this year.

HT Image

Signalling the arrival of the most dynamic England cricketer for a generation, scores of small boys whistle with unrestrained delight in anticipation of heroic deeds to come.

"He strides the Test field like Beowulf among his retainers, ready to do battle with giants or monsters," commented former England captain Mike Brearley in his weekly Observer column.

The reference to the oldest written epic in the English language might escape some spectators. Flintoff's headline-grabbing prowess with bat and ball does not.

During the course of a glorious summer for the national side, Flintoff, derided as an overweight national joke four years ago, has become an international hero.