Flintoff not feeling any added pressure
Andrew Flintoff relaxed ahead of big-money game
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Thursday, 30, Oct 2008 10:03
England superstar Andrew Flintoff has claimed he isn't feeling under any extra pressure ahead of the $20 million Stanford Super Series match.
In what is considered to be one of the richest games in the history of sport, each member of the winning team between the England vs Stanford Superstars game, will receive a monumental $500,000 – with the losers getting nothing.
But Flintoff insisted that money isn't the most important reason why he plays the game and thinks there is more pressure when playing in the Ashes or in front of packed stadiums in India.
"Everyone is going on about the pressure the money brings but in the last over in Mumbai in front of 70,000 people that is proper pressure, and I can't imagine with a bit more money on it, it is going to be any different," Flintoff said.
"Look at the Ashes series in 2005. We've all played in these situations. You're either going to perform or you're not, it doesn't matter how much money is on it.
"It is a dangerous thing to start thinking about the money. We've got a game on Saturday against a good side so if you start spending the money in your head you'll come unstuck.
"There is a bit of history in what we're doing but ultimately cricket is still the same game. You've still got to bowl yorkers and bumpers so once you get out on the field it is the same as normal," added the all-rounder.
Flintoff will be one of the England players under a little more pressure on Saturday night. He is a key member of the side, bowling at the death of an innings and also expected to be one of the power hitters with the bat.