Flintoff admits to captaincy aspirations

The only way is up for Freddie Flintoff © Getty Images

England hero Andrew Flintoff says he has an ambition to captain his country and denied that there is a rift between him and current skipper Michael Vaughan.

Vaughan revealed in his newly-released autobiography Calling the Shots that he felt Flintoff would be unsuitable for the job due to the huge workload he already carries as an allrounder. "He was only saying what he thinks," Flintoff told BBC Radio Five Live. "I've known Michael for a few years and he would have my best interests at heart so it's not something that's going to bother me or upset me."

Flintoff revealed his own captaincy ambitions. "I think everyone in the side has got aspirations of captaining their country, if it ever came up I'd jump at the chance," he said. "At the moment Vaughany is doing an unbelievable job, I'm enjoying playing under him and long may it continue but if - maybe a few years down the line - there was a chance then it's obviously something you'd have to be interested in."

Flintoff set himself - and England - tough targets for the next few years: "I want to play in a Test side ranked number one in the world, which would mean retaining the Ashes next year. I want to win a World Cup; I've played in two and have not been through to the Super-Six stages yet. So the West Indies will be a big few months. I'm enjoying playing cricket with England and desperately want to play for the best side in the world."