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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Flintoff hopes to avoid whitewash | Flintoff hopes to avoid whitewash |
| (2 days later) | |
| England captain Andrew Flintoff has immediately turned his attention to the last two Ashes Tests after Australia won back the Urn with victory in Perth. | England captain Andrew Flintoff has immediately turned his attention to the last two Ashes Tests after Australia won back the Urn with victory in Perth. |
| Uppermost in his mind will be the need to avoid losing both of the final Tests which would give Australia a 5-0 sweep. | Uppermost in his mind will be the need to avoid losing both of the final Tests which would give Australia a 5-0 sweep. |
| A philosophical Flintoff said: "The Ashes have gone now, but we've got to come back hard and can't mope around. | A philosophical Flintoff said: "The Ashes have gone now, but we've got to come back hard and can't mope around. |
| "We've got two big Test matches still in an Ashes series and we want to give a good account of ourselves in them." | "We've got two big Test matches still in an Ashes series and we want to give a good account of ourselves in them." |
| Interview: England captain Andrew Flintoff onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6194399'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Extended highlights: Third Ashes Test - Day Five | |
| Flintoff's stint as captain could end after the final Test in Sydney with Michael Vaughan approaching full fitness. | Flintoff's stint as captain could end after the final Test in Sydney with Michael Vaughan approaching full fitness. |
| But he wants to end the series on a high note. | But he wants to end the series on a high note. |
| He said: "The disappointment has in some ways set in now, but it will feel worse the day after. It'll be a tough few days. | He said: "The disappointment has in some ways set in now, but it will feel worse the day after. It'll be a tough few days. |
| "But I hope we enjoy our Christmas and then hit them hard on Boxing Day." | "But I hope we enjoy our Christmas and then hit them hard on Boxing Day." |
| Four years ago, Nasser Hussain's team also lost the Ashes in Perth, but produced a more encouraging performance despite losing the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. | Four years ago, Nasser Hussain's team also lost the Ashes in Perth, but produced a more encouraging performance despite losing the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. |
| Then, in Sydney, they beat Steve Waugh's men through an inspired Andy Caddick performance and England will need similar steel to avoid a whitewash this time. | Then, in Sydney, they beat Steve Waugh's men through an inspired Andy Caddick performance and England will need similar steel to avoid a whitewash this time. |
| 606: DEBATE England are still the second best Test side in the world and are well set for the future AA 606: Have your say | 606: DEBATE England are still the second best Test side in the world and are well set for the future AA 606: Have your say |
| On that occasion, the England fans roared their team past the winning post, and Flintoff is conscious that supporters have already travelled far and wide to see three defeats in succession. | On that occasion, the England fans roared their team past the winning post, and Flintoff is conscious that supporters have already travelled far and wide to see three defeats in succession. |
| He said: "I'd like to thank the fans. I've been out there and seen all the lads and the women out there singing. | He said: "I'd like to thank the fans. I've been out there and seen all the lads and the women out there singing. |
| "I just want to thank them for their support. They've been terrific and they're still sticking with us. | "I just want to thank them for their support. They've been terrific and they're still sticking with us. |
| "Just going over there and seeing what it means to so many people, although we're 3-0 down the crowd have stayed behind and clapped us and supported us. | "Just going over there and seeing what it means to so many people, although we're 3-0 down the crowd have stayed behind and clapped us and supported us. |
| "A few more people will be coming out over the Christmas and New Year period and we want to do something. | "A few more people will be coming out over the Christmas and New Year period and we want to do something. |
| "We want to win a Test match and we want to put smiles on people's faces. | "We want to win a Test match and we want to put smiles on people's faces. |
| "Stick with us because we're trying and we'll continue to do so." | "Stick with us because we're trying and we'll continue to do so." |