Gilchrist: Flintoff is hard to face

Agence France-Presse

Flintoff was the star of England's 2005 Ashes series win when Gilchrist, 37, who retired from Test cricket in 2008, was still a key member of the Australia batting line-up.

Lancashire hero Flintoff's pace and swing made him particularly awkward for even as gifted a left-handed batsman as Gilchrist to face.

"He is so awkward to face as a left-hander," Gilchrist told yesterday's edition of Britain's Independent newspaper. "It's his physicality, his angle of attack, his height. I admire his controlled aggression. He's in your face but not recklessly so.

"He creates an aura of control, even if you get a good shot away he has that look in his eye, and a demeanour, that suggests it is all part of a big plan. (Shane) Warne and (Glenn) McGrath - they had the same quality. When I have faced Flintoff since he can still get his weaponry to that level. It's just he's not been able to do it consistently."

A new look Australian side, still under the captaincy of Ricky Ponting, won a Test series in South Africa 2-1 earlier this year.