Flintoff upbeat despite hammering

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England captain Andrew Flintoff insisted his team would be ready for the first Ashes Test despite being hammered in their opening warm-up game.

A Prime Minister's XI hit 347-5 before bowling the tourists out for only 181 two weeks ahead of the Brisbane opener.

But Flintoff said: "I'm not going to get too despondent with it.

"We are slow starters and have been on a few trips. We have two games against New South Wales and South Australia and will be looking to improve next week."

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Flintoff bowled his full quota of 10 overs and, apart from his last over which cost 16 runs, was impressive as he took 1-55.

He failed with the bat, bowled by a full-length Shaun Tait delivery for only one, but the all-rounder saw positives in England's defeat.

It was a flat wicket so it was surprising to win easily Shaun Tait

Ashley Giles made his bowling comeback for England after a year following hip surgery, while Andrew Strauss (67) and Paul Collingwood (35) looked in decent touch.

"It was nice for myself to get 10 overs under my belt and Ashley was back on the park bowling for us for the first time in a long while," Flintoff added.

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"My ankle was fine and I'm pleased with the way I bowled.

"The new ball did a bit. Once it got old it was difficult but I'm pleased with my fitness - a few more runs wouldn't go amiss."

Tait bowled with hostility to unsettle the touring batsmen but he was surprised at how quickly England folded.

"It was a pretty flat wicket, good for batting on, so it was surprising to win so easily," the paceman said.

"Everyone put in a good effort. My plan was to bowl as quickly and straight as possible and intimidate the batsmen."