Aussies reveal Flintoff strategy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6131812.stm

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Australia's tactics against England in the upcoming Ashes series will centre around making life as uncomfortable as possible for England's Andrew Flintoff.

The talismanic captain of the touring side has had injury problems for much of the year but says he will be 100% fit for the first Test on 23 November.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said: "He's such a vital part of their side.

"So if we keep him down for a few Test matches, it might drag a couple of the other players down with him."

Flintoff was England's leading wicket-taker, third-highest run-scorer and man of the series in the 2005 series, earning plaudits as the best cricketer in the world as he inspired his side to its first Ashes win in 18 years.

If we can start taking more than one player down, it gives us a great chance of winning Ricky Ponting

This time around, he has the added burden of the captaincy and is recovering from ankle surgery, giving Ponting hope he can be restricted.

The Australian, ranked the number one batsman in world cricket, said: "It is important that we do that with him, more so for his playing abilities than his leadership.

"We all saw last time around that he can be dynamic with the bat and the ball.

"I think their team really do run off him a little bit. If we can restrict him and put him under pressure right through the series, then hopefully a few of their other players might start feeling the pressure as well.

"If we can start taking more than one player down, it gives us a great chance of winning."