We want Freddie to play, insists Australia’s North
AUSTRALIA batsman Marcus North insists the tourists are rooting for England’s Andrew Flintoff to be fit for the rest of the Ashes – because they want the satisfaction of beating a full-strength side.
All-rounder Flintoff is a doubt for the fourth Test, which starts at Headingley on Friday, with the ongoing knee problem that has caused him to quit Test cricket at the end of the series.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been accused of glorifying in Flintoff’s deteriorating fitness, after remarking that the 2005 hero’s condition had “gone downhill pretty quickly” during the match.
But North, whose battling 96 helped Australia secure a draw in the third Test at Edgbaston on Monday, says beating England without the inspiration behind their second Test triumph would be a tainted victory.
“We want to play the best side we can play against when we play any other country. We have already seen the impact that Andrew Flintoff has had on this series,” said North.
“He had a quiet game with the ball but he had that explosive innings with the bat. We want to walk away, taking the Ashes back home, beating a full-strength England side.”
Spiky verbal exchanges have been an increasing presence as the series has gone on, but North firmly believes they add to the occasion.
He added: “The banter on the pitch is great. Both teams are playing extremely hard Test cricket. We are playing for the urn.”