‘Cricket is not life or death’

Andrew Flintoff turned philosophical after England’s good showing against South Africa in the ODI series. "I knew there was going to be pressure on me but cricket’s not life or death, it’s a game and it’s to be enjoyed. Possibly for a period I lost that enjoyment. I’m in a privileged position because I’m playing cricket for England but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts and it always helps when you’re doing well, but I’m in a very good place at the moment.

"I’m now coming back after my fourth operation so all this is almost like a bonus. I don’t know how long I’ll play for but I’m determined to enjoy it while it lasts."

He has returned so successfully that Freddie is up there with the heroes once again. But he has seen the other side too. "It can quickly shift from hero to public enemy number one in the space of a week," he says. With candour, Freddie says he has not always gone about cricket the right way every time and is determined now to make every moment count.