London, July 1: England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has said that he has no problem with all-rounder Andrew Flintoff boozing, as long as he knows that he is required to be fit to fire at his opponents on the cricket field.
Strauss was speaking after Flintoff, 31, was disciplined for going on a drinking session in Belgium and missing a team bonding visit to the World War I trenches in Flanders.
The Sun quoted Strauss as saying: "He is very aware he stuffed up, he took it on the chin and apologised."
When asked about Flintoff's relationship with alcohol, Strauss appeared to acknowledge there is an issue.
He said: "That's something for him to answer, but something Fred has been working very hard on. He generally recognises when it is time to drink and time not to drink. It is important that he stays on the right side of that. I think he does the vast majority of the time."
It is at least Flintoff's fourth alcohol-related misdemeanour and England are concerned about the unsettling effect on team focus with the First Test against the Aussies beginning on July 8.
