Maybe had England have retained them he would have changed his tune.
Andrew Flintoff throws the ball at England training in St Lucia. (AFP)
World Cup as important as Ashes: Freddie
Andrew Flintoff has insisted the World Cup matters just as much to England as the Ashes.
All sections of English cricket - players, fans and media - tend to prize Test success above all else, with victory in the Ashes series, which England last achieved in 2005, considered the ultimate achievement.
However, after their recent 5-0 Ashes series thrashing in Australia, it was the one-day format that gave England something to cling to as they overcame a poor start to win a triangular tournament also featuring New Zealand - their opponents in their World Cup Group C opener tomorrow morning.
"To me it's on a level," Flintoff told reporters at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia when asked to compare the Ashes and the World Cup.
"In Test match cricket you've got the Ashes which is obviously the biggest thing and the World Cup in the one-day format is huge.
"If you look at any other sport the World Cup is the pinnacle of all players' careers. In the one-day format this is it. This is what you build for, this is what you want to play in."
In South Africa four years ago, England's World Cup campaign was overshadowed by protracted wrangling which ultimately led them to boycott their scheduled group match in the Zimbabwe capital of Harare on safety and political grounds - a decision which cost them valuable points.
However, there have been no such distractions this time around and Flintoff said of the team's preparation for this tournament: "It's gone miles better. We haven't been sat in a room for three days discussing things.
"We've been able to get out there, train and practice, just building up. We're in a nice position."
Looking ahead, Flintoff added: "I've played in two World Cups and not got to the second round yet and I am keen to do well in this one.
"It is a big stage and it is a chance for people and teams to shine.
"If you look at our team, we have a side of match-winners and each one of those will want to perform and show what they can do. It's something which excites me and it's definitely something exciting the rest of the lads as well."
-AFP
Andrew Flintoff throws the ball at England training in St Lucia. (AFP)
World Cup as important as Ashes: Freddie
Andrew Flintoff has insisted the World Cup matters just as much to England as the Ashes.
All sections of English cricket - players, fans and media - tend to prize Test success above all else, with victory in the Ashes series, which England last achieved in 2005, considered the ultimate achievement.
However, after their recent 5-0 Ashes series thrashing in Australia, it was the one-day format that gave England something to cling to as they overcame a poor start to win a triangular tournament also featuring New Zealand - their opponents in their World Cup Group C opener tomorrow morning.
"To me it's on a level," Flintoff told reporters at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia when asked to compare the Ashes and the World Cup.
"In Test match cricket you've got the Ashes which is obviously the biggest thing and the World Cup in the one-day format is huge.
"If you look at any other sport the World Cup is the pinnacle of all players' careers. In the one-day format this is it. This is what you build for, this is what you want to play in."
In South Africa four years ago, England's World Cup campaign was overshadowed by protracted wrangling which ultimately led them to boycott their scheduled group match in the Zimbabwe capital of Harare on safety and political grounds - a decision which cost them valuable points.
However, there have been no such distractions this time around and Flintoff said of the team's preparation for this tournament: "It's gone miles better. We haven't been sat in a room for three days discussing things.
"We've been able to get out there, train and practice, just building up. We're in a nice position."
Looking ahead, Flintoff added: "I've played in two World Cups and not got to the second round yet and I am keen to do well in this one.
"It is a big stage and it is a chance for people and teams to shine.
"If you look at our team, we have a side of match-winners and each one of those will want to perform and show what they can do. It's something which excites me and it's definitely something exciting the rest of the lads as well."
-AFP
