Andrew Flintoff admits England cheated during 2005 Ashes series

Ricky Ponting Gary Pratt

The tour marked the first Ashes series victory for the Poms in nearly two decades, having not tasted success since 1987.

However, appearing on Channel 10’s The Project, Flintoff was questioned over, and happily admitted to cheating via the use of specialist substitute fieldsmen.

The Project co-host Waleed Aly put it to Flintoff that the tactics used by England to run out Ricky Ponting late on day three of the crucial fourth Test at Trent Bridge, went against the spirit of the game.

“Remember in 2005 when you got that guy who was a gun fielder and he ran Ricky Ponting out? That was cheating wasn’t it?” Aly probed.

“Yeah. Yeah of course it was,” Flintoff replied somewhat seriously.

At the time, Australian captain Ricky Ponting was quick to express his anger towards the England team following his dismissal, with their frequent use of substitutes - said to have been done to keep key bowlers fresh - thought by many to be against the spirit of the game.

Speculation over the use of substitute fieldsman who are not the 12th man have been rife since Australia’s use of the team masseuse, Grant Baldwin during the inaugural day/night Test in Adelaide.

Some of Australia’s former champions, led by Michael Hussey have condemned the use of substitute fieldsman who are not specialist cricketers, labelling the move as “unprofessional”. 

Flintoff however, was not so critical of the decision.

"Give him a break, he's living the dream," Flintoff said. 

"This poor lad day in, day out is rubbing Peter Siddle's glutes. He deserves an opportunity to get out on to the field. I'd have let him bat as well."

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