Ring of Fire

Freddie Flintoff loves his music and he loves singing. More specifically, he loves his rock ‘n’ roll and is not averse to a burst of Elvis Presley’s ‘Suspicious Minds’.

So it was no surprise to hear that music played a part in England’s victory in Mumbai. Flintoff was asked by an Indian reporter to explain the significance of Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire’. Flintoff could barely keep a straight face. “It’s just a song that the boys like,” he demurred.

Flintoff knew the real connection but it would have been impolite to explain that the song’s title is an unintended reference to, er, the after-effects of eating spicy food. The song became England’s tour anthem during the pre-Christmas trip to Pakistan.

I’m told that the atmosphere in the England dressing room during the lunch interval on the final day was akin to a rugby match. With ‘Ring of Fire’ blaring out full blast, the players whipped themselves up into a hand-clapping, feet-stomping frenzy.

No wonder ‘The Wall’ collapsed so soon after lunch.