ENGLAND is deeply concerned by the fragile mental state of its champion all-rounder
Andrew Flintoff after he had to be pulled out of the ocean during a boozy night out in the Caribbean.

Flintoff, who appears burnt-out after a taxing tour of Australia, was fined for taking a small boat from a beach near the team's hotel in St Lucia at 4am yesterday after an eight-hour drinking session with teammates.
The former captain was seen rocking the boat from side to side before it capsized, and there are now serious questions whether he is capable of seeing out a two-month World Cup.

His woes add to an England campaign that is already spiralling out of control after a horrible five-wicket loss to New Zealand on Friday.

Four of his teammates were also disciplined following the bender at the Rumours club in St Lucia's Rodney Bay area for breaking a midnight curfew.

Flintoff and batsman Ian Bell were fined. Fast bowlers James Anderson, Liam Plunkett and Jon Lewis were docked part of their match fee.

A source at the team's hotel said: "Freddie could have drowned out there. It's rough in that sea at night and it's not particularly helpful if you've had plenty to drink."

Flintoff has a history of heavy drinking and once claimed a good night out began at 2pm.

Lancashire teammate and former Australian batsman Stuart Law later coined the phrase "Freddied" for anyone who had been on a bender.


http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,21405011-921,00.html