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Last Updated: Saturday, 9 December 2006, 08:25 GMT
Warne queries Flintoff influence
Flintoff and Warne
Warne (right) says Flintoff was right to declare in Adelaide
Shane Warne has questioned the amount of input captain Andrew Flintoff has in selecting England's Ashes team.

Officially, Flintoff and coach Duncan Fletcher share the duties of picking a Test XI while on tour.

"It was the right choice to make him captain and I'm not sure if he's getting the side he wants," Warne wrote in his column in the Times newspaper.

"If you're looking around the field at 5pm and you're not going to bowl a guy, then he shouldn't be in your side."

England's selection has been heavily debated over the last few weeks after spinner Ashley Giles and wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, both previous Ashes winners, were restored to the side.

Fletcher said both men were included because of their batting ability, although they have contributed 137 runs between them in two Tests so far.

I thought Freddie's declaration was a very good one and that it was good captaincy

Shane Warne

With England 2-0 down in the series, Fletcher will come under extra pressure to include Monty Panesar for the third Test, which begins in Perth on Thursday.

Former England skipper Tony Greig made similar comments after the opening Test defeat in Brisbane.

"I was a little bit disappointed in the team he picked," he said of Flintoff.

"That's always the worry when you've got a coach with you on tour.

606: DEBATE
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"But the captain should get his way because he's the bloke out there who's feeling the heat."

Warne, who set up a famous victory in the second Test in Adelaide, defended Flintoff's decision to declare England's first innings at 551-6 towards the end of day two.

"Yes the pitch was flat, yes there was not much sideways movement or spin, but 550 is a lot of runs to get," he added.

"They could have batted and batted, but I thought Freddie's declaration was a very good one and that it was good captaincy.

"They were saying they wanted to win the game, not just draw it."

SEE ALSO
Anderson spell encourages England
09 Dec 06 |  The Ashes
Stewart backs Panesar for Perth
08 Dec 06 |  The Ashes
England crash to Adelaide defeat
05 Dec 06 |  The Ashes
Greig on Flintoff
28 Nov 06 |  The Ashes


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