Mitchell Johnson can't see Andrew Flintoff participating in the BBL

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FILE PHOTO: Andrew Flintoff

Mitchell Johnson said that he personally feels that Andrew Flintoff, who recently has made a comeback, won’t be able to make the grade for the Big Bash next year.

The Australian fast bowler reluctantly said that the game has changed in many ways in the last five years, the time since Flintoff was away from it, and it would be difficult for him to adapt and succeed in such a short period.

“I think he’s been out of the game for five years. I know what it’s like when you’re coming back, it’s very hard if you’ve had a long break out of the game. The game’s probably changed a little bit, especially Twenty20, it just keeps getting faster. It’s very hard. If he gets back, good luck to him, but I personally don’t see any chance,” Johnson said.

But former Australian cricketer and the Brisbane Heat coach Stuart Law who also played alongside Flintoff for several seasons at Lancashire was positive about the later’s form and said that there is no doubt that he could make a strong comeback.

“Look, until he actually plays, it is a bit of a hypothetical, but I don’t doubt he could make a comeback,” Law said.

“Freddie turned himself into a professional heavyweight boxer when he was forced to retire with injury at a relatively young age, and won his only bout, so you don’t doubt his commitment to a cause if he puts his mind to it

“And if he does get on the field, I am sure there will be a bit of the old magic there. I’ll be watching with plenty of interest,” he added.

Andrew Flintoff had retired from cricket back in September 2010 due to a knee surgery and has recently made a comeback with the Lancashire squad in England’s domestic T20 competition but has failed to play for the Lighting so far.