The Sports Psychology Blog

This Sports Psychology blog follows Andrew Flintoff's Twenty-Twenty cup appearance for Lancashire against Gloucestershire.

Cricket: Andrew Flintoff - Take A Break

Andrew Flintoff - The Power And The Freedom

It was on this ground, on a memorable Saturday afternoon in 2005, that Andrew Flintoff was effortlessly hooking Aussie paceman Brett Lee into the Edgbaston crowd. With his eyes closed.

Two years on and Flintoff is opening the batting for Lancashire against Gloucestershire. Brett Lee is not opening their bowling. It's Jon Lewis and Carl Greenidge. This time there are no hooks into the crowd. Flintoff can barely get it off the square.

Part of this is down to the lack of pace in the wicket. Another factor is Flintoff's lack of form and practise with the bat. But the whole thing seems a bit of an ordeal. It's almost a relief when Flintoff is tamely run out for three.

After the game the talk is about if Freddie will be fit the one-day series with India. He probably will be. But it's not a great idea. After a series of bad injuries, Flintoff would be well served by taking a break from the international and county game. Give his body a thorough rest.

Like Johnny Wilkinson before him, Flintoff has paid the price for successfully carrying the weight of a nation's expectations on his back. His next goal should be to return a sense of fun and enjoyment to his experience of playing cricket. To do that, why not spend nine months coaching youngsters in schools? Or taking cricket to world trouble spots to promote peace? Something that would give him satisfaction. And reconnect him to the reason why he loved the game in the first place.

Returning to the international game in a few weeks, may satisfy the selectors. But it would be a surprise if Andrew Flintoff had the same vigour, passion and sense of enthusiasm he once had in abundance. He has given everything to the national cause. Now he has to give to himself. Then, and only then, should he think about giving more of himself to the demands of international cricket.