Although Andrew Flintoff has made his comeback in the shortest form of the game in England’s domestic set up, Mitchell Johnson doesn’t feel that he would be able to sign up for any team for the next edition of the Big Bash League which will be played towards the end of this year.
Johnson who has recently returned to Australia after representing Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League said, “Andrew’s been out since quite a while, 5 years to be precise I reckon. So, for him to come back and perform as well as he used to, it’s extremely difficult.”
“Cricket has changed a lot in the last couple of years especially the shortest form. It has become faster and even the active players are finding it hard to adapt themselves according to it and here we are talking about somebody who hasn’t played for a long time. So, for me, he has no chance to make it to the Big Bash. I wish him all the best though.”
However, Stuart Law, the ex Australian player who has coached the BBL team Brisbane Heat in the past, has a slightly different thinking than Johnson regarding Flintoff.
Law reckons that Flintoff gives his 100% in whatever he tries and thus, there is no reason why he can’t be backed to make a successful comeback as a professional cricketer.
Talking to a reporter yesterday, Law said, “See, it’s hard to say anything unless he plays a few matches, but, as far as my personal view is concerned, I back him to reach that level again.”
The main reason behind Flintoff’s retirement back in 2010 was his knee which had been giving him troubles quite regularly. He had gone through surgery as well to get rid of that problem, but, he kept struggling with it and thus, he eventually decided to retire.