Interview: England's Andrew Flintoff

By Martin Gough BBC Sport in St Lucia

I sometimes get a little bit carried away Andrew Flintoff

It was no surprise to hear England players went for a drink after Friday's defeat to New Zealand - on any evening they can be seen in the bars and restaurants of Rodney Bay.

How surprising was it that some were out until 3.00am on Saturday, with a game against Canada starting at 9.30am on Sunday?

Should it come as a shock that star all-rounder and sometime captain Andrew Flintoff was involved in an incident with a beachside pedalo in the early hours?

And does that point to a wider problem with alcohol and rule-breaking within the side?

The answers, apparently, come in shades of grey.

After supporters contacted newspapers back home, England's management viewed the incident seriously enough to fine six players a reported �1,000.

Extra sanction was reserved for Flintoff, who confirmed a pedalo was involved but suggested some of the newspaper reports had used "poetic licence" in describing his rescue from the sea.

The players had clearly crossed a line, although no official line has been drawn by coach Duncan Fletcher. There is no curfew and no specific alcohol ban.

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Canada captain John Davison was asked on Sunday night if he felt disrespected by his opponents' pre-match antics.

"I don't know how they normally prepare for matches," he replied with a smile.

Outrage from fans that England's stars had even ventured out of their hotel must be tempered by the fact these players have spent at least seven months in the last 12 in hotels.

With stress and burnout increasingly high-profile problems, they must avoid the risk of cabin fever, although it is interesting that New Zealand's players have had a lower profile around town this week.

Flintoff remains a favourite of England's supporters

Fletcher summed up his team rules in simple terms: "They're professional sportsmen and they understand what is required."

They certainly did in the summer of 2005 when the highly publicised Ashes-winning celebrations came after the action had finished.

But following the famous two-run victory at Edgbaston, the England players had enjoyed a night out that included a trip to an Aussie bar in Birmingham's city centre, just three days before the third Test.

One conclusion is that, before this weekend, some players did not know what was required.

Arguably several of the group - which also included James Anderson, Ian Bell, Jon Lewis, Paul Nixon and Liam Plunkett - are either too youthful or inexperienced at international level to have a clear idea where the line is.

The fact that Flintoff and two assistant coaches, reportedly Kevin Shine and Jeremy Snape, were with them further legitimised what was happening.

When Flintoff was asked about former captain Nasser Hussain's assertion that he had been warned about his drinking while in Australia recently, Fletcher leaned over for a quiet word.

The focus was turned to a broader timescale, including the period seven years ago when Fletcher was openly critical of Flintoff's "chips and lager" lifestyle.

"It wasn't about Australia - it was about previous things as well. I sometimes get a little bit carried away," he told reporters.

Fletcher hopes to focus can now be switched back to cricket

"It's no secret that I like a drink, I've probably had a drink with a few of you in here before. I like to enjoy myself but the timing of this hasn't been right."

Flintoff was not going to make bland pronouncements about never touching booze again.

Instead, refreshingly, he emphasised the mature approach Fletcher is clearly looking for.

"I'm not going to say I'm going to have an alcohol-free trip but a glass of wine with dinner is one thing. The way we did it last Friday is not going to happen again," he said.

Fletcher is standing by his system and the proof of its success will come on the field of play, just as it did two summers ago.

England began their World Cup campaign poorly and the failures of the system were highlighted.

But if they do well in a tournament that does not end until 28 April, the events of this weekend will be forgotten.

If not, the whole system will come under scrutiny.