Andrew Flintoff Quotes

When I faced the likes of Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee for the first time, I had a little bit of fear in my mind. My thoughts were, 'Would I be able to face them? Would I be able to play them? Would I be able to hit boundaries?' There were so many questions and fear, also, that if the ball didn't hit my bat, it might hit me on the body.

I live to be in these matches.

Frankly speaking, the pleasure and satisfaction you get after performing against India you don't get against any team, and if you ask the Indian players, they would have similar sentiments.

In the past it sometimes took me two or three rounds to get the adrenaline rush.

What was scaring me was if we lost, I didn't know how I'd play cricket again. This was such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a World Cup final at Lord's.

That's one of the nice things about being a sportsman is that once you cross that white line, it is a freedom, you are away from everything in life really. You are playing cricket and that's an escape from everything. That's as clear as you get really.

I enjoy being slightly scared.

There is pretty much nothing more fear-inducing for a Bachelor than finally making it to hometown dates.

I love playing against England.

Playing big teams is something I really enjoy - the bigger the team the better.

I just thought at Wimbledon I was very nervous.

I love that feeling of being in a battle with the new ball, you're getting an opening batsman out while they are desperate to survive.

Sometimes when people play for their country, I think there is that little bit of fear and pressure.

Obviously Messi is one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world. Looking up to him when you're young and now playing against him, it was very nerve-racking for me - especially when he would come up on my side, my heart would be beating faster and faster.

When people say they aren't nervous, I think they are lying about it. If you are human and you love the game, before any competition you still get those same butterflies in the stomach.

I'm lucky because not only do I have the chance to experience the thrill of winning, but I also get to bowl really fast. Those two things are the best feelings in the world, better than any drugs - not that I've tried any.

I just love the sport, love the game.

If nerves undo you, then you're unlikely to make it as a top footballer.

I mean, who doesn't love one-on-one match-ups?

I'm grown up enough to realise how to play cricket. I love the game.

I don't consider football fun. It's not like a water park or a baseball game.

I'm no longer young, but I still enjoy the competition and the feeling of that.

Fear is not something we feel at Liverpool.

I play cricket with passion. I just want to win games for the country.

It's a lot more fun when you're winning than losing.