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With the recent announcement that England’s Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff is set to make a comeback, a range of questions have arisen.
Merely a case of publicity seeking or a genuine cricketing revival?
A worthy enterprise or a foolhardy escapade?
Should he or shouldn’t he?
Coming to a Big Bash franchise near you soon?
If Andrew Flintoff does make a return to professional cricket on Friday when Lancashire host their nearest and dearest, Yorkshire, in the Natwest T20 Blast, it’s fair to say there will be a sizeable media contingent at Old Trafford.
You would expect little else given the profile of the individual concerned and the way a story can escalate these days. Not all of those in attendance will be exploring the cricketing angle.
That is understandable given the fact Flintoff hasn’t graced a sporting arena – a boxing bout at the MEN Arena aside – since the Oval Ashes Test match of August 2009. His public exploits have been restricted to TV shows of varying subject matter.
But while the circus can’t really be prevented, it is the cricket side of the whole episode that will hopefully assume centre stage.
However you choose to look at it, and cynicism will no doubt feature highly, this is one of England’s best ever trying his hand once more at what made him famous in the first place.
He won’t be lining up in the next Ashes series. We’re not looking at a full-scale return.
It’s Twenty20 cricket, a few overs here, an energetic cameo there, and the hope that it can make a decent side that bit better.
If his body holds up, and this is the crux of the matter, then Lancashire have made what could be a fine signing.
Flintoff at 80 per cent of what he can do is comfortably better than the majority who play in the county game, and plenty of overseas players are recruited nowadays who don’t come from the top shelf .
Ignore the argument that he will be taking the place of a younger cricketer, as anybody who is brought in does exactly that anyway.
Just remember that this is Twenty20 – a game that is built, in its entirety, on novelty.
When a format feels the need for, in no particular order, coloured creases, inane MCs, pointless countdowns, cheerleaders, fire-spitting torches, cheesy music, daft team names, flashing bails, incessant advertising and time-outs, then the re-signing of a player deserves to be looked at in a fairer light.
When he does play, and don’t buy all the ‘he’ll have to earn his place’ guff being spouted by Lancashire, Flintoff will throw himself into the task wholeheartedly.
He has little choice if he wants to extend this initial foray into a globe-trotting resurrection, as any scouts from the Big Bash and Caribbean Premier League outfits – potential destinations that have already been mentioned – will need to see that the reality matches the hype.
But all of that is to come and there will be at least one former colleague paying more than a keen eye come Friday evening.
I hope he does well.