In this Ashes series second test, Flintoff took the ball even though he was ‘not even half fit’, bowled his heart out and claimed five wickets to win the match for England. He was not included in the fourth test. According to him both Andys (captain and manager) dropped him even though he declared him self fit. Result- Oz crushed England and leveled the series.

The final test at Oval, England wouldn’t take any chance and included Freddie. The very sight of him, made the Oz panic. The Aussies made blunder after blunder, played like a chicken and lost the Ashes. Even though Freddie didn’t do much in that final test, his presence had a terrific effect on the Aussies and their confidence level became almost zero.

In the international cricket, we have seen individual players becoming a ‘nemesis’ for the opponents. Indian opening bowlers used to be very scared of Shahid Afridi, when ever he opened the batting. Same was with Jayasurya. The South Africans & English panicked at the sight of Shane Warne.

Ganguly used to bring our own Harbhajan to bowl when ever Ponting and Gilchrist came on to bat and got them out cheaply. So the psychological fear factor played an important role in the minds of most international cricketers and the Oz were no exception as they also suffered from that.

Cricket is different from other out door games like soccer. It is played 75% by the brain and 25% by the body. Every one will agree with me that captaining a cricket side is more difficult than any other game. That is because cricket needs lot of brain work, home work, high technique, stamina, perseverance, character and above all mental stability.

This Ashes series was a classic example for mental strength in cricket, in which the Oz succumbed to the “Flintoff Factor”.