In this article, we will discuss the excellence of a player who was known for igniting the fire in the belly of the English team. With his all-round skills, he made sure that England was fighting with top teams staring into their eyes. Moving ahead we will list the top 3 performances of Andrew Flintoff in ODI cricket.
1. 123 vs West Indies, 2004
The all-rounder loved playing against the West Indies and he would always step up against his Caribbean counterparts. He gave his best batting performance of his ODI career in this match. This knock was played by Flintoff in a pressure situation as England had lost 3 wickets for 54 runs when he walked into bat. He built a strong partnership with Andrew Strauss and both players scored a century to rescue England from an adverse situation. England posted 285 runs in the first innings and posed a big challenge to the West Indies.
2. 5/19 vs West Indies, 2009
Another top-class performance from West Indies but this team with the ball. This was his best bowling performance in his ODI career and it came in the very later phase of his career. He emerged as the match-winner with the ball in the last match of the ODI series between the two sides. It was a rain-curtailed affair and England scored 172 runs in 29 overs in the first innings. Flintoff troubled West Indies in the run chase and was decisive in demolishing the opposition batting order. His bowling brilliance won the match for England by 26 runs and he was given the player of the match award for this performance.
3. 5/56 vs India, 2007
This was the first 5-wicket haul for Andrew Flintoff in his ODI career. He picked up these wickets against a formidable Indian batting lineup in the second match of the ODI series between India and England at Bristol. Batting first, India scored 329 runs in the first innings which was a huge score but it could have been worse for England had it not been for Andrew Flintoff’s bowling effort. He dismissed the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar to keep the score below the 350-run mark.