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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Flintoff eager to create history | Flintoff eager to create history |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| England captain Andrew Flintoff says his team are desperate to make history by fighting back to retain the Ashes. | England captain Andrew Flintoff says his team are desperate to make history by fighting back to retain the Ashes. |
| England have never recovered from 2-0 down in an Ashes series, and Flintoff's side need to draw the third Test at the very least to keep their hopes alive. | England have never recovered from 2-0 down in an Ashes series, and Flintoff's side need to draw the third Test at the very least to keep their hopes alive. |
| "I don't think we need any more motivation - for all of us now it's probably the biggest Test match of our careers," said Flintoff. | "I don't think we need any more motivation - for all of us now it's probably the biggest Test match of our careers," said Flintoff. |
| "We'd create history if we came back, something we desperately want to do." | "We'd create history if we came back, something we desperately want to do." |
| Interview: England skipper Andrew Flintoff | Interview: England skipper Andrew Flintoff |
| The only team in history to win the Ashes after losing the first two Tests were Australia back in 1936-37. | The only team in history to win the Ashes after losing the first two Tests were Australia back in 1936-37. |
| But Flintoff said England were fully focused on the task in hand at the Waca. | But Flintoff said England were fully focused on the task in hand at the Waca. |
| "The team have been great throughout - there's still that confidence and the calmness that we've had all along in this trip," said Flintoff. | "The team have been great throughout - there's still that confidence and the calmness that we've had all along in this trip," said Flintoff. |
| "It's a side full of character and that character will have to come out in this Test. | "It's a side full of character and that character will have to come out in this Test. |
| After my ankle surgery I probably naively thought I'd get no pain ever again Andrew Flintoff "We're a very close unit as a side and we've stayed that way. We'll remain that way for the remainder of the trip and going forward as well." | After my ankle surgery I probably naively thought I'd get no pain ever again Andrew Flintoff "We're a very close unit as a side and we've stayed that way. We'll remain that way for the remainder of the trip and going forward as well." |
| Flintoff confirmed that England would not name their team until the morning of the match (starting 0230 GMT Thursday). | Flintoff confirmed that England would not name their team until the morning of the match (starting 0230 GMT Thursday). |
| Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar is expected to be recalled for his first action of the series, after claiming 32 wickets in his opening 10 Tests. | Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar is expected to be recalled for his first action of the series, after claiming 32 wickets in his opening 10 Tests. |
| But he may earn his selection alongside Ashley Giles rather than instead of him, with James Anderson the pace bowler most likely to make way. | But he may earn his selection alongside Ashley Giles rather than instead of him, with James Anderson the pace bowler most likely to make way. |
| 606: DEBATE If the England team can't play out of their skins at Perth, when can they? BT 606: Have your say | |
| Flintoff also insisted his left ankle, which was operated on for a second time last July and caused him pain during the second Test, would not hinder him in Perth. | Flintoff also insisted his left ankle, which was operated on for a second time last July and caused him pain during the second Test, would not hinder him in Perth. |
| "My ankle is fine," he added. "After my surgery I probably naively thought everything would be fine and I'd get no pain ever again in my life. | "My ankle is fine," he added. "After my surgery I probably naively thought everything would be fine and I'd get no pain ever again in my life. |
| "Playing back-to-back Test matches is tough and I've not done it for a while and I did get some discomfort. I had it checked out and I've bowled since, so it's not something I'm concerned about." | "Playing back-to-back Test matches is tough and I've not done it for a while and I did get some discomfort. I had it checked out and I've bowled since, so it's not something I'm concerned about." |