So long Freddy....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/9005165.stm

Probably didn't quite fulful his potential statistics wise, but will always be remembered for the 2005 series and to a slightly lesser extent 2009. The runout from 2009 to dismiss Ponting is still magical .

Can't always judge a player by stats, and he was a different player post 2002 from the one picked in 1998 - between 2003-2006 he was one of the best bowlers around and he averaged about 40 with the bat before the injuries started taking their toll.

Looking back you wonder why he wasn't used 2005 onwards as strike bowler rather than stock bowler (thinking of 2006 v SL at Lords!) May have preserved his career a bit.

The only other cricketer in my time who could empty bars when they walked out to bat was Beefy.

Au Revoir Sir Fred

It's a pity, wouldn't have minded see him in the ODIs this summer.

Probably bowled better than his figures suggested.

Very good cricketer who broke the mould of the robotic. We need more mavericks.

The hand of fate can be cruel sometimes.

Aye, farewell Freddie.
You were a good 'un when it mattered ....

... speaking of which ....

(from the article) ...

Despite announcing before the second Test at Lord's that he would be quitting the five-day game at the end of that series, he produced a devastating spell on the final morning of that Test, taking 5-92 in a 115-run victory.

I'm glad to say ..... I WOZ THERE !!

Sad day. Like losing a distant but still important friend.

I really hoped he could make it back, even if just as a T20 batsman but it's a shame even that wasn't possible. Hopefully he can find a future somewhere in the game and avoid going into a downward spiral of drink etc.

As others have said, overall stats don't tell the full story, too much of his cricket was played when not fully fit and he took time to make his mark. At his peak he was a matchwinner who could turn a game in one session with bat or ball, and players like that don't come along too often. At least Swann and Broad's efforts with the bat down the order appear to be sparing us the succession of craptacular "all-rounders" who followed Botham in the desperate attempt to find a like-for-like replacement...

Also, they appear to be being better treated, with some inkling of technical mangement and psychological insight.

Some of the Failed New Bothams had fair talent, but most ended up with something like muppet status. See Robin Smith's remarks on Illy and Fletch as man managers. And I would add Bumble to them. Not much idea really.

Yeah, Freddie was almost one of them. I remember him making a pair in a Test against India in 2002 and thinking that had to be it, his time was up, another failed all-rounder experiment. From then on though he didn't look back, first with the bat and then under Vaughan's captaincy he went from defensive stock bowler into a genuine wicket-taking impact bowler.

Regarding Bumble as a coach - he's a legend in the commentary box but I can't imagine him actually being taken seriously in charge of an international team. Or a village second XI, for that matter...

Shame he can't play any longer. Retiring at 32 is so 80s.

I suspect in a few years he will be remembered as close to a legend by the fans who saw him play, and a 'what -was -all- the- fuss- about' by those who didn't.

Thanks for the memories Freddie - it was brilliant while it lasted.

Well played, big fella. There's no doubt you played probably THE pivotal role in Ashes 05.

fredalo was a classic matchwinner who rose to the occassion...this goes beyond his otherwise ordinairy stats

Yeah the wonderful bastard peaked at the right times didn't he?

2-1, 0-5, 2-1

Not always...

His impact in 05 was far beyond his impact in 09, though he did have that match-winning spell of 5-92 at Lords in 09.