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Flintoff rues lost runs

Afp, Birmingham
England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was in upbeat mood ahead of the start of the second day of the second Ashes Test but couldn't help thinking his side should have scored more than the 407 all out they managed after being sent in by Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
England's batting, at a rate of more than five runs per over, was a vast improvement on their performance in last month's first Test at Lord's where they were twice dismissed for under 200 in a 239-run defeat.
But this time Australia were without Glenn McGrath, after the spearhead fast bowler -- who took nine for 82 at Lord's -- was ruled out before play began with an ankle injury after treading on a cricket ball
during practice.
In his absence, England, who have lost the last eight series against Australia, recorded their biggest first day Ashes total since their 409 for five at Lord's in 1938.
But having been 164 for one, England were heading for a total of
over 500 and now the fear amongst home fans must be that anything their team can do, Australia's star-studded batting line-up can do better.
A fifth-wicket stand of 105 in 103 balls between Kevin Pietersen (71) and Flintoff (68) revived the innings after England had slumped to 187 for four following opener Marcus Trescothick's 90.
And the last two wickets then added 59 runs to get England past 400.
"We're pleased we got 400 on the board," said Flintoff, who managed a mere three runs in two innings at Lord's, but on Thursday struck five of England's 10 sixes.
"After the last match it gives the bowlers something to bowl at. It's probably a silly thing to say, but we could have got a few more. But 407 on any wicket is a decent total.
"It would have been nice may be
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if one or a couple of the batters could have gone on and got a hundred but we've got runs on the board," added Flintoff, who last year at Edgbaston scored a Test best 167 against the West Indies.
"Marcus and Andrew Strauss played well at the top of the order. The wicket was slightly slow but here at Birmingham if you get it past the field it does go for four."
This was the first major partnership between Flintoff and the equally dynamic Pietersen, who scored his third straight fifty after two halfcenturies on Test debut at Lord's.
"It was great. I've been letting my side of the bargain down for a while now. Everyone's been talking about it.
It was nice to spend some time in the middle with him. If we do bat together we are going to score runs quickly. He's been in fine form and hopefully I'm coming into a bit myself," said Flintoff.
And he insisted England's total could not be attributed to McGrath's absence alone.
"Obviously he's a massive player for Australia. The spell he bowled at Lord's, coming out to bat in the middle of that was hard work.
"But they've still got fine bowlers in their ranks. Glenn McGrath doesn't play and Michael Kasprowicz comes in. Although Glenn's not playing it's still a formidable attack."
South Africa-born Pietersen added: "I'm just thrilled to bits Freddie
(Flintoff) is backin the runs.
"I just played second fiddle to him. It would have been stupid for me to try to outhit him. I thought we fed off each other real well."
Kasprowicz, with three for 80 from 15 overs, was the pick of a pace attack that also saw Jason Gillespie take two for 91 on a day where Warne extended his world record for Test wickets to 593.
"Essentially, if all the bowlers look hard at ourselves, we didn't execute things as well as we possibly could. But there was some great batting and fantastic strokeplay," Kasprowicz said.
"We obviously have to bat well but there's always plenty of belief within the Australian side. We've been tested plenty of times but that's what this side does pretty well."