Marsh observes Alex Tudor in action

The streamlined Lancastrian supplemented good form with the ball in India with his maiden Test century in Christchurch. On the subcontinent, he batted at six and opened the bowling.

But Marsh feels those achievements will count for nothing if Flintoff rests on his laurels this summer.

"It's up to him now not be satisfied with what he's done because he's got to go to the next level and be a 10-year player for England.

"Because he's good enough and if he doesn't then he will be a huge disappointment."

Marsh did not have Flintoff under his care at the Academy's Adelaide base but is well-placed to judge other talent emerging in England's ranks.

He once famously referred to English bowlers as 'pie-throwers', but believes the future is bright for England's bowling brigade.

"We had five young fast bowlers at the Academy last winter and let me tell you the Australians would have loved them to be part of their system.

Free spirit

"Because if they were throwing pies they were throwing them bloody quick," Marsh quipped.

The former director of the Australian Academy found grounds for comparison between Glamorgan's Simon Jones and former Australia Test speed merchant Jeff Thomson.

"Not so much in action or even pace at this stage but as a guy (Jones is similar to Thomson).

"Simon is a free spirit, he's a bit wild, perhaps doesn't think a hell of a lot about what's going on and he wants to do everything fast and that is exactly like Thommo was."

Marsh strongly denies he came under fire in Australia for accepting employment with the 'old enemy'.

Lillee coaches fast bowling in India

"I don't believe I was heavily criticised at all.

"I think a few people probably turned up their noses and some raised their eyebrows.

"But I think ultimately they realise that although Australia loves to beat England, they would like to do it the last hour of the Test match and not the second or third day."

Marsh views his role in cricket as transcending international boundaries and suggests he is working for the betterment of the game worldwide.

"I like to think the material I work with signifies the game of cricket.

"It doesn't matter what colours you're wearing, as long as an ex-player you're helping the game of cricket then I feel very comfortable with that.

"I think it's important for world cricket that English cricket is strong.

"The game has its roots in this country and the people of England love the game of cricket.

"I don't think cricket ever has a chance of dying in this country but it certainly has in other parts of the world."