Flintoff ready for captaincy

The tour of India has not yet quite begun, but the problems keep mounting  for England.

Even before the start of the first Test match, the visitors have lost their captain and vice-captain, with Michael Vaughan out injured and Marcus Trescothick returning home due to personal reasons.

Fast bowler Simon Jones too looks a doubtful starter after injuring his left knee during practice.

Andrew Flintoff, being handed the reins of an inexperienced, young team, said that captaincy is something that he has always wanted to do, but for now he would only be filling in for Vaughan.

"It's something I wanted to do but probably in different circumstances. But it is an opportunity. We are a young side. As opportunity arises, we move by it, and to show the character and the strength of the England side, we have to go out there and play," Flintoff told reporters in Nagpur on Monday.

Vaughan was ruled of the first Test after failing to recover sufficiently from his knee injury. He will return home on Monday to consult a specialist and the chances of him making back for the remaining Tests look remote.

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Flintoff, meanwhile, had to make a sudden change in his tour plans. The 28-year-old was expected to return home after the second Test to be with his wife Rachel for the birth of their second child.

But with the team losing key players due to injury, Flintoff has now decided to play the third Test, and return home in the time between the Tests and the ODIs.

"I spoke to (wife) Rachael a couple of times in the last 48 hours. She is obviously very supportive. I am going to stay throughout the three Tests. The period between the Tests and the one-dayers is when I will go home to see the new-born baby."

On being asked whether he would be able to handle the extra pressure of captaincy in addition to his batting and bowling responsibilities, he replied: "It will be a bit more added preesure. I have performed well under pressure and enjoy playing under pressure.

"I am looking forward to doing it. When I walk out with 10 other guys on Wednesday, everyone will be fighting for England, and I will do everything to help them perform. It is not something I want to shy away from," he said.

This is the first time Flintoff is leading the England in international cricket. However, he has captained teams at lower levels before.

"The first time I led was the Lancashire Under-11s. I did the England under-19 captaincy, I did a few games for Lancashire, first-class and one-dayers. And I captained a tour match in Sri Lanka," Flintoff said.

As a person, the big-built Lancashire dasher has come across a humble sportsman, both on the field and off it.

Who can forget him consoling Brett Lee after beating the Australia in the second Ashes Test in Edgbaston or the wild celebrations after the Ashes victory?

So what sort of a captain would he be?

"I don't know. In the dressing room, each individual knows what to do. Everyone is pointing in the same direction. I am going to be myself. I have been appointed captain for as long as Michael is not with us."

Inspite of the injuries, Flintoff, feels that the team will give its best when they enter the field for the first Test match.

"As I said, we have had injuries and illnesses which of course hasn't helped. It is an opportunity for the young side to show what we can do. The guys who are going out on Wednesday, I am sure, we are looking forward to the challenge of playing against India. A lot of things have happened so far, you have to take your minds away and play good cricket and test yourselves and enjoy playing against India."