They are the best we have – Andrew Flintoff defends Anderson and Broad

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By Adam Ellis

Andrew Flintoff has objected to criticism aimed at Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad by former England captain Michael Vaughan, saying it ‘beggars belief’ that one of the England duo should be dropped.

This came after Vaughan suggested one of the top wicket-taking pair lose their place in the bowling attack in the wake of England’s nine-wicket defeat to Pakistan at Lord’s.

Sharing 957 Test wickets between them, Ashes winner Flintoff said it was inconceivable to drop either Anderson or Broad as England responded with a dominant performance in the second Test at Headingley.

“How can you? Jimmy Anderson has got a lot of wickets, Stuart Broad has got a lot as well, and their recent records are alright too,” Flintoff told Sky Sports.

“They take a bit of criticism and they come back strong. It beggars belief, it really does.

“There are areas in which the side can improve but from the bowling department, those two are the best we have had so we have got to stick with them for a while longer.”

“They should have won at Lord’s as well. After the first Test match, everyone was talking up Pakistan and they were alright. I think we just under-performed.

Broad came in for particular criticism after taking one wicket with the ball and faring not much better with the bat after walking off for a pair at the Home of Cricket.

In Leeds, the 31-year-old Notts seamer produced a deadly accurate display to claim match figures of 6-66 off 27 overs. While his opening partner took 5-78 from 25 overs in a match England won by an innings and 55 runs.