Flintoff's tour warning for England by AFP

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Event:

England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 27th September 2005

 

Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff insists England cannot afford to rest on their laurels when they come up against Pakistan and India.

 

The Lancashire all-rounder, the Professional Cricketers' Association's Player of the Year, insists both he and England still have plenty to prove before they can claim to rank as the world's best after beating Australia.

 

"Pakistan is going to hold new challenges," Flintoff told Sky Sports News. "Having played against Australia, it was hard, and I'm sure Pakistan is going to be equally hard.

 

"We're going out to the sub-continent, playing under different conditions foreign to ourselves, and I feel I've got something to prove on the sub-continent.

 

"I went out to India a few years ago and I've been to Sri Lanka, and did alright. But I'd like to do well in other parts of the world, not just England."

 

With conditions in Pakistan and India likely to suit spinners, Ashley Giles is another who will be looking to make his mark.

 

"I've got an important role to play in the sub-continent, so I have to be ready, I have to be fit and firing," said Giles. "So, the next four weeks are important preparation."

 

Yorkshire paceman Matthew Hoggard is also aware of just how big a task England will face in Asia.

 

"We've got to beat Pakistan and India. They are two very hard sides to beat at home, so we are not going to get ahead of ourselves.

 

"Pakistan will be a really tough tour followed by India, who have got an impeccable record at home, so we are going to have to play really well to compete.

 

"But hopefully we have the power and the dedication to do it."

 

England play Pakistan in three Tests and five one-day matches in November-December.

 

Their tour of India next year comprises three Tests and seven one-day internationals with the Test series scheduled for March 8-29 and the one-dayers between April 4-22.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)