Gilchrist feels Flintoff is not fully fit

Former Australian stumper Adam Gilchrist says that his Ashes rival Andrew Flintoff has lost some sheen after the famous 2005 Ashes series.

Gilchrist feels that Flintoff’s constant run of injuries has stopped him from performing the way he did in 2005, lifting the Ashes urn and ending the long draught of an England victory in the most historic cricket battle.

Lancashire hero Flintoff's pace and swing made him particularly awkward for even as gifted a left-handed batsman as Gilchrist to face.

"Flintoff to this day is still carrying the effects of the 2005 series,'' Gilchrist said in The Independent.
"It looks as if he has never really been able to get in his full stride again.

"It's not a mental thing. I don't think he's one that is all that fazed by expectation and the like, it's physical, his injuries.”
"He's not been able to get in his full stride consistently since because of injuries.''

Gilchrist felt England needed the big Lancashire lad to fire for the home side to regain the Ashes.

"Having him fit and firing is a big part of England's chances,'' Gilchrist said. "Every team is reliant on its big players.
"If (Glenn) McGrath and (Shane) Warne went missing for us we came back to the field.”

"Now we rely on Ricky Ponting. When he scores a hundred, Australia are in a very good position because he scores at good pace.”

"Australia will be relying on Ricky and Mitchell Johnson, for England (Kevin) Pietersen and Flintoff are the big-ticket items.''