Earthbound star

There was a school of thought doing the rounds in 2004 that success in international cricket only comes to those who adopt a selfish approach. It is quite a joy to report, therefore, that the one man whose performances stood out from all others this year, was the one who bucked this particular trend of introspection.

With his blond hair, blue eyes, and six-foot-several frame, Freddie Flintoff was born to be a colossus. But the most remarkable aspect of his sudden and glorious coming of age is that he has managed to stretch to such great heights while keeping his feet firmly anchored to the turf. With his ebullient bear hug leading the celebrations at the fall of every opposition wicket, Flintoff has established himself as the beating heart of a resplendent England team - one that has won 11 and drawn two of its 13 Test matches in 2004.

That factor is the clincher, for this has been no isolated awakening for Flintoff. At the very moment that he has learned to channel the powers at his disposal, so too have England become a force to be reckoned with once again. Flintoff and Steve Harmison, bosom buddies since their Under-19 tour of Pakistan in 1996-97, are rapidly emerging as genuine worldbeaters, and they could hardly have timed their arrival better, with a tour of South Africa and a home series against Australia looming.

Statistics are perhaps the worst measure imaginable for a man of Flintoff's stature, for his disregard for personal landmarks borders on the contemptuous. Who else could have grinned so broadly at Lord's in September against India, after being dismissed for 99 in the second and decisive one-day international? And who else in the game is so forgiving of his fielders as yet another catch is shelled in the slips? Without his own bucket hands on standby, Flintoff will never be granted the wickets tally he deserves.

But his statistics are worth commenting on nonetheless. In 29 Tests prior to the start of England's seminal series in the Caribbean in March, Flintoff had averaged an unworldly 25.72 with the bat, and 45.55 with the ball. Since then, his figures have been flipped on their head and spun like a breakdancer - in 11 further matches he has cracked two hundreds and six fifties at 57.35, and bounded in for 35 bat-jarring wickets at 25.28, including that long-awaited first five-wicket haul, achieved at Bridgetown in April in front of an adoring audience of travelling supporters.

The by-product of all this Freddie Fever is the sudden and oh-so-welcome end to England's search for the next Ian Botham. Flintoff is the here-and-now of English cricket. Non-believers are being drawn to the game by his on-pitch exploits; world-weary seen-it-alls are sitting up and taking notice once again, and small children (and not-so-small adults) are wanting to grow up to be him.

The plaudits are not premature either. In six one-day internationals between July and September, Flintoff made three hundreds and that 99 - all of which were more than what Botham managed in 116 ODIs (top score 79). And by smashing at least a fifty in eight consecutive Tests from April onwards, Flintoff has emulated none other than the great Garry Sobers, who managed the feat in 1966-67.

Throw into the mix his sparky line in inoffensive banter (warning Tino Best to "mind the windows" at Lord's, for instance, moments before Best heaved across the line to be stumped), his moments of unbridled theatre (thumping a six into - and straight out of - the hands of his father, high in the stands at Edgbaston), and his constant humility in the face of a burgeoning reputation, and there can be no doubt that a precious talent has finally established himself in the game.