BBC SPORT | ENGLAND | Marsh fires Flintoff warning
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Monday, 6 May, 2002, 08:54 GMT 09:54 UK
Marsh fires Flintoff warning
Flintoff has a lot to prove, according to Marsh
Rod Marsh believes England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff still has work to do to become an established player at Test level despite his improvement over the winter.
The former Aussie Test great, director of the ECB's Cricket Academy, told BBC Radio Five Live Flintoff was overdue to take the next step in his development.
"I think he has got a lot to prove because a man with that ability should be an excellent Test player," Marsh said.
"I won't say a great Test player at this stage because there are very few great players in my opinion but he should be a consistently good performer at that level.
"He should be making more runs than he does, though his bowling has come on in leaps and bounds."
Flintoff, 25, has long shouldered the burden of expectation but looked finally to be coming of age during England's winter tours to India and New Zealand.
Marsh observes Alex Tudor in action
But Marsh feels those achievements will count for nothing if Flintoff rests on his laurels this summer.
"It's up to him now not be satisfied with what he's done because he's got to go to the next level and be a 10-year player for England.
"Because he's good enough and if he doesn't then he will be a huge disappointment."
Marsh did not have Flintoff under his care at the Academy's Adelaide base but is well-placed to judge other talent emerging in England's ranks.
He once famously referred to English bowlers as 'pie-throwers', but believes the future is bright for England's bowling brigade.
"We had five young fast bowlers at the Academy last winter and let me tell you the Australians would have loved them to be part of their system.
Free spirit
"Because if they were throwing pies they were throwing them bloody quick," Marsh quipped.
The former director of the Australian Academy found grounds for comparison between Glamorgan's Simon Jones and former Australia Test speed merchant Jeff Thomson.
"Not so much in action or even pace at this stage but as a guy (Jones is similar to Thomson).
"Simon is a free spirit, he's a bit wild, perhaps doesn't think a hell of a lot about what's going on and he wants to do everything fast and that is exactly like Thommo was."
Marsh strongly denies he came under fire in Australia for accepting employment with the 'old enemy'.
Lillee coaches fast bowling in India
"I don't believe I was heavily criticised at all.
"I think a few people probably turned up their noses and some raised their eyebrows.
"But I think ultimately they realise that although Australia loves to beat England, they would like to do it the last hour of the Test match and not the second or third day."
Marsh views his role in cricket as transcending international boundaries and suggests he is working for the betterment of the game worldwide.
"I like to think the material I work with signifies the game of cricket.
"It doesn't matter what colours you're wearing, as long as an ex-player you're helping the game of cricket then I feel very comfortable with that.
"I think it's important for world cricket that English cricket is strong.
"The game has its roots in this country and the people of England love the game of cricket.
"I don't think cricket ever has a chance of dying in this country but it certainly has in other parts of the world."
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Rod Marsh speaks on Radio 5Live | |