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Andrew Flintoff is just about the most uncomplicated character you will find in the World Cup. Yet his explosive hitting has the potential to make life extremely difficult for England's opponents in the coming weeks.

The physical bulk of this 21-year-old is quite awesome. His 17st, 6ft 4in frame seems to overflow the canvas chair on which he precariously perches.

A couple of years ago, Flintoff was around 19st with still a good deal of blubber and the weight he was carrying affected his bowling.

Now he has shed the excess and says that his medium pace has improved as a result.

Since slamming Essex for 143 off 66 balls, including nine sixes, in his only one-day game this season, Flintoff has been seen in some quarters as the man to lift a rather ordinary England limited-overs side.

That might be a daunting prospect for many, not least a youngster making his way to the top with only four one-day internationals - in Sharjah a month ago - behind him.

Yet none of the hype seems to faze Flintoff. ``I know people are talking about me. But to be honest, I never read the papers. I generally only look at the pictures.''

Flintoff can be his own severest critic. Asked if he deserved to be dropped after his two Test appearances last summer against South Africa, he said: ``I was playing so badly, I shouldn't have even been playing for Lancashire.''

It may be a good omen for England that Flintoff found it easier to assimilate at one-day international level. Not normally over-afflicted by nerves, he admitted to more than a twinge or two when he scored fifty on his debut, against Pakistan. ``But after an over or two, I started to hit some shots and felt much better.''

They still talk at Old Trafford about one six he hit two summers ago which travelled around 140 yards into an adjoining car park. Yet Flintoff cannot even remember who was the unfortunate bowler. That speaks volumes about a young man who admits to being more laid-back than most.