Flintoff carries England
Matthew Hayden on domination, defeat and the hand of God
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I want to get back in the one-day team. The best players play both types. For me, it is incredibly frustrating that I am not playing, for no reason really. I want to get back in the side but I don't know how I can get back in.
I was there. It was an amazing game. I wished I was playing. The last time that we played there was the World Cup final, Adam Gilchrist and I were none for 74 off nine overs so it brought back incredible memories. It was a miracle that South Africa won the recent game.
There is no question that England prepared for the series better than Australia. Our Ashes were India in 2004-05. It won't be like that next time round |
After the first Test we had the momentum. Even in the one-day series, we tied the final at Lord's and won the other series comfortably. In the first Test we smashed them; in the second Test God himself reached down and plucked McGrath out of the pit. England gained momentum through the toss in that match but I was not surprised by Ricky's decision to field - it had been wet the whole week. More than anything it was the disruption with McGrath that cost us there. But what an amazing game of cricket it produced!
Australia has had a 30% increase in cricket participation since the Ashes. It has taken Australia to lose a series to have that effect on the development of the game. It was good for the game. The average punter when we got home wasn't disappointed by the result so much as excited by the return series. We all have a lot to look forward to whether we are playing in it or not.
It is our home in Australia. I am a lot less worried about facing the seamers at the Gabba or the WACA as that is where I grew up. There is pace and bounce but it is my turf - I understand those venues so well. I understand how hot it is. I reckon that could be a challenge; there are a lot of challenges in Australia. They are going to be confronted with a whole new level of excitement. It is our home and we are very proud of our record at home. It is going to be a good series.
India in 2004-05 for me - and I didn't have a particular great series. It is a sign that you are in a very good team. Also my partnerships with Alfie [Justin Langer] and others down the batting order - getting big partnerships is important for our team and important for me. If we have a huge stand I'm going to have a lot of runs anyway. That is the foundation and what let us down in the Ashes.
It was the way I was playing at the time. I think Alfie did a good job - he was up there among the leading run-scorers in the series. I was not on song really. I let our partnership down. Having said that, we always reached none for 60, which is better than 1 for 10.