Botham: Flintoff's return a massive mistake

England

Former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham has waded into the debate surrounding Andrew Flintoff's return to cricket, and unlike most others, Beefy feels Freddie's return could be a 'massive mistake'.

Former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham has waded into the debate surrounding Andrew Flintoff's return to cricket, and unlike most others, Beefy feels Freddie's return could be a 'massive mistake'.

Flintoff retired from the game in 2009 with a chronic knee injury, and now at the age of 36 is making a comeback for Lancashire. Botham feels that unless he's 'swapped knees' with someone, this is all going to end in tears.

Botham said in his <i>Daily Mirror</i> column on Saturday: "While I wish him all the very best, I think he is making a massive mistake.

"We've not seen Fred on a cricket field since those memorable days in 2009, and five years is a long time out of the game.

"For those that can't remember that far back, Fred had no choice but to quit cricket because of a chronic knee injury that had made walking difficult let alone bowling at 90 miles an hour.

"Unless he's managed to swap knees with someone, I don't know how it has suddenly got better, allowing him to tear in and play the game properly.

"To come back after five years out of the game and with that injury still in the background is a huge risk. I just hope he does not let himself down too badly."

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