Former Test paceman Jeff Thomson has mocked England’s prospects of winning next week’s Ashes decider and said that Andrew Flintoff’s farewell Test is set to end in “disappointment”.
The home side must win at The Oval to regain the Ashes following Australia’s innings and 80-run triumph at Headingley last weekend that levelled the series at 1-1.
But Thomson dismissed the prospects of Andrew Strauss’s men rebounding at south London to capture a series win.
“England have no chance of winning the Ashes because the Aussies no longer fear Freddie Flintoff,” Thomson wrote in his column in The Mirror.
“Bringing Flintoff back for the final Test at The Oval next week wont fool our blokes.
“They know England are pinning all their hopes on a saviour charging in to bowl on one leg.
“Great warrior that he is, Flintoff will make one last push to win the Ashes before he retires from Test cricket.
“But the fact is his knee is crocked.
“England have to take 20 wickets next week to save their skins and, Flintoff or no Flintoff, they haven’t got the bowlers to do it.”
Thomson then took aim at the possible move to recall former TV dance show winner Mark Ramprakash after seven years out of the Test arena.
“But what’s he going to do? Dazzle us to death with his sequins and a few ballroom dance moves?,” he said.
“This is Test cricket, not Dancing With the Stars, or whatever you call it. And Ramprakash has a Test average of 27 – don’t make me laugh.
“The Aussies would love it if he returned because it would show just how desperate England are.
“Mind you, he couldn’t do any worse than your middle order at Headingley.
“Ravi Bopara looks shot to pieces and Ian Bell’s biggest contribution was to help Mitchell Johnson regain his form.
“I know Bell scored a 50 at Edgbaston, but he was out about three times in that innings and Johnson has got his number now.
“It’s dial-a-wicket.
“Without Kevin Pietersen, England’s batting has been so flimsy they might as well reverse the order because the tail-enders seem to score more than the top half.”
tommy
Guest
jeff thompson ,where are you now?come on lets hear from you.your lot have been so lucky to have had warne and mcgrath over the years.you have been found out to be as good as england with out them.welcome to the real world ponting!!
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
For every former sportsman who offers reasonably perspicacious commentary in his retirement, there are at least twenty who offer naught but drivel. I have no idea why the media is so obsessed with offering an outlet to these witless has-beens.
Kyle
Guest
yes, I agree that these are 2 'average teams', both of which will have difficulty claiming 20 wickets. As an aside, this bigoted, one-eyed, abusive, demeaning 'style' of Jeff Thomson is not journalism. It smacks of craven arrogance. Amen!
Jameswm
Guest
Actually Tommy England had two off days in a row. But who takes Thommo seriously anyway? It'd be funny to see him in a debate with the Viscount.
Tommy
Guest
Thommo has officially lost the plot. His comments are deluded and he is just jumping on the media bandwagon. England had an off day and Australia bowled the `the best they have all tour,` according to Peter Siddle. That 1st day has caused all this media hype and Australia are now back to being their own world beating-selves, but we all know this current Australian team is very fragile when we scratch under the surface. They too have had awful sessions this series and thats what has cost them so dearly. Bringing Clarke in was a good boost for the Ozzies, but it doesnt turn an average team into a great team because of that fact. Lets not get carried away here, there are 2 average teams on show here and either team has shown how easy they are to beat when they are pressurised. Australia have done this on one day and so have England. Bring on the oval, get Flintoff back in and Ramps in at no.3...its 7 years since hes last played and people are allowed to blossom into better players by the way in that time (which he clearly, clearly has). Lets see what Australia have got.
Whiteline
Guest
Colin, I doubt Thomson (no 'p') has the capacity to write much at all. Unfortunately I believe the English are finished though. I'm aware you are an English supporter and I'm in your court to a degree as I'd love to see some changes to the leadership of the Aussie team and a few defeats is the only way there is even a minute chance of it happening.
Colin N
Guest
Typical tabloid journalism. I hope that column was ghost written, because I is that really Jeff Thompson's writing style? “It’s dial-a-wicket." You what?
Whiteline
Guest
Spot on