Flintoff hits out at Atherton

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has launched a verbal attack on Michael Atherton.

Flintoff accused Times journalist and ex-England captain Atherton of "making judgments about players who were much better than he was" in comments reported by the London Evening Standard on Thursday.

Flintoff told the newspaper: "How can he talk about a player like (current England one-day captain) Alastair Cook who is 10 times the player he ever was - he has a much bigger average and will go on and on. Atherton averaged in the 30s for England and yet he thinks he can judge others."

The Evening Standard then sought to clarify if Flintoff's remarks were off the record, but he said: "I don't care. Say what you like. There's no love lost there."

Atherton was initially critical of the decision to appoint Cook as captain of the one-day squad,. describing him last summer as "a plodder", but has since been impressed by Cook's performances in the 50-over format.