Andrew Flintoff, the former England all-rounder, has spoken up on his tense history with Duncan Fletcher, saying despite all that happened between the pair, the contribution of the former coach to England cricket was significant.

Flintoff and Fletcher has a well-documented history of problems, which came to a boil at the 2007 World Cup with Flintoff’s pedalo incident after a night out went wrong. Fletcher resigned from his role towards the end of that tournament, and went on to publish an autobiography in which he took aim at his former colleagues, and in particular Flintoff.

However, Flintoff has now said despite all that happened, Fletcher’s contribution to England cricket was immense, in particular England’s famous Ashes win of 2005, which came under his time as coach.

“My relationship with Duncan was well-documented,” Flintoff said in the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, in conversation with former team-mate Steve Harmison and Rob Key, the former England batsman.

“Steve had a different experience with Duncan, and people do. To say he did nothing for English cricket is a joke. He was there when we won the Ashes, he was there all through the build-up.”

Roses are red,
Diamonds are forever,
Andrew Flintoff, the greatest over ever?

pic.twitter.com/6rav9Wt128

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 21, 2020

Flintoff, however, acknowledged his own relationship with Fletcher was never the best. “I didn’t feel he was someone I could speak to,” he said.

“When there was any blame knocking around, he would detach himself. I’m not having a go, I’m just saying all this made it so much harder for me.”