Flintoff confident about England sealing series against Windies

Antigua (West Indies), Feb.11 (ANI): England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is confident that the team will bounce back from the first Test loss and seal the series against the West Indies.

The second Test begins at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground here on Friday, and as the side's most capped player, Flintoff indicated that getting back to playing top-notch cricket start on that day.

"This is a test of character for the lads. You can talk about technique, you can go in the nets but this is about people and how they respond to what has just happened. We have to come back strongly on Friday," Flintoff said while recalling the horror of the innings and 23 run loss to the Windies in Jamaica.

At 1-0 down in the series, England has to play a brand of cricket that has eluded them for perhaps three years, says The Independent.

"As bad as it was in Jamaica it was the first of four and we can still win the series and I genuinely believe we can. We have got to start scoring our runs and taking our wickets. I am confident we can do that but we have to show it," the paper quoted Flintoff, as saying.

Flintoff rigorously refused to lay the blame on events preceding the tour. He also took the opportunity to stipulate that his relationship with Kevin Pietersen is simply fine and dandy, and as if to emphasise the point the pair of them were seen laughing raucously together moments later.

England have played an astonishing 14 consecutive series without winning the opening Test. Of that 14, they have lost seven, including most famously the first Test of the 2005 Ashes when this bizarre little run started.

It must suggest something about preparation and mindset. Maybe they are not as ready as they think they are, maybe they need a kick up the bottom to get going. (ANI)