Cricket: Make Flintoff England Captain, Says Cork

Andrew Flintoff is the man to replace the injured Michael Vaughan as England captain against West Indies at Lord's next week, according to Dominic Cork.

Since Flintoff and his pedalo became separated in the Caribbean during the World Cup campaign it has been widely assumed that he will never captain his country again, and as a result Andrew Strauss is the strong favourite to get the job next week. But according to Cork, the former England all-rounder, Flintoff should regain the job he held during last winter's Ashes series.

As Flintoff's first County Championship appearance of the season for Lancashire against Hampshire was washed out by rain here yesterday, Cork said: "I would make Fred captain. A lot's been said about Fred. Let's remember that he has been one of the best all-rounders in the world and still is. I believe he is very focused on getting back to where he knows he should be. He's been working very hard in the nets.

"As an ex-England cricketer I would make him captain. And the reason I would do that is I would say, 'Here's your responsibility' and 'Right, you've made a mistake, we're making you captain again'."

Cork played 37 Tests for England between 1995 and 2002 and has played alongside Flintoff since joining Lancashire from Derbyshire in 2004, although only occasionally because of Flintoff's international commitments.

"Let's not forget Andrew was captain in the last series England won, the one-dayers in Australia," Cork added. "It would show the world that we are backing this guy. We very easily criticise somebody who has not had the greatest of times but what you have to do as a nation is back the people who are going to win us games. People make mistakes and we have to get on with it. You probably think it would be a gamble. For me, it's not."

Cork said Flintoff's most valuable asset was his ability to inspire team-mates. "He even inspires me and Stuey Law, and that's what you need - inspiration in tight situations. He analyses things very quickly, helps out [the captain] Mark Chilton and [coach] Mike Watkinson. He's tactically very astute.

"If they want to make Strauss and Collingwood captain, OK, I've got no problem with that but, for me, if you want to win Test matches you want your best captain and Andrew Flintoff is that. [England coach] Peter Moores said he was drawing a line under everything. It's a fresh start. If you've got that sort of passion and pride, don't hold it back. Let characters be characters, let them enjoy themselves and express themselves on the pitch."

With more rain forecast for today Flintoff may be frustrated in his attempt to show he has rehabilitated after a miserable winter and World Cup. But there was some good news for England here yesterday. Kevin Pietersen, who is not playing because of a torn left calf muscle, received treatment and is expected to be fit for the Test.