Flintoff's father says his son upset with former England coach

'Hypocritical' Fletcher should be ashamed - Boycott

Cricinfo staff

October 31, 2007

Andrew Flintoff is unhappy with Duncan Fletcher for speaking out about his behaviour during the Ashes tour © Getty Images

Geoff Boycott has called Duncan Fletcher "a hypocrite" for his comments about Andrew Flintoff's drinking habits on tour. Flintoff's father has also complained about Fletcher's new book and says his son is "not a happy man" after the revelations surrounding his behaviour in Australia and the Caribbean over the past year.

Fletcher wrote Flintoff attended a fielding session while drunk and the former coach also had doubts before naming him as captain for the Ashes. Boycott, who was also targeted in Behind the Shades, was unimpressed with Fletcher.

"After the stuff he has come out with in the last couple of days, I find it ironic that he spent his eight years with England spouting on about loyalty and keeping everything within the team," Boycott told the Daily Telegraph. "There he was, taking the moral high ground at every opportunity. And as soon as he finishes, what does he do? He gets stuck into Flintoff.

"I have no problem with cricket people writing books, telling the truth, and making some money. I have done it myself. Fine. But it seems a bit rich coming from someone who has made such a big deal about not "talking out of school". Fletcher is a hypocrite and he should be ashamed of himself."

Colin Flintoff said his son felt betrayed and was upset with Fletcher for speaking out. "The golden rule is that what goes on in the dressing room stays in the dressing room," he told the Guardian. "Fletcher has betrayed Andrew's confidence. I am upset that he has done this for the sake of his book.

"There is no bigger team player than Andrew. These comments have really upset him. I have spoken to Andrew about this and he is not a happy man."

Paul Nixon, who was part of Flintoff's one-day squad in Australia and at the World Cup, supported his former captain by saying he did not have a drinking problem. "Freddie's such a competitive guy and a passionate guy, he wants to win every game ferociously for England," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I think that the hiding they got in the Ashes really affected him more than people realise."

Alastair Cook also added his support for Flintoff. "All I know is when I was playing under Freddie for England, he was my leader," he told The Times. "He gave everything for England and I just wish him successful rehab on that ankle.

"It's his third time, which must be tough, but we hope he gets back as soon as possible because a fully-fit, firing Freddie Flintoff is what we need for English cricket."

He said he had not read the book. "It is just a book isn't it? We are not bothered about what people are writing. We have moved on. Everyone is entitled to their opinions but personally I am not bothered what he has written now because we are under Peter Moores.

"It doesn't affect the squad as a whole and we are more worried about how we are going to play against Sri Lanka in two weeks' time."

© Cricinfo

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Stories

Fletcher hits out at Ashes review idea

Fletcher blasts Botham's influence

Players/Umpires

Geoff Boycott

Duncan Fletcher

Andrew Flintoff

Paul Nixon

Teams

England