STUART BROAD IS NO FREDDIE YET

ANDREW STRAUSS has told Stuart Broad: You're no Freddie yet.

Baby-faced Broad, 23, has been touted as Flintoff's heir apparent after starring with bat and ball in England's recent Ashes triumph.

But skipper Strauss said: "Stuart is not a like-for-like replacement for Flintoff in any way.

"He has his own particular skills, some of which are world class and some of which need work.

"We don't want him to be a saviour we turn to, we need all 11 players to deliver.

"There has been a lot of media attention on Stuart but he realises there is room for him to improve and he is excited about that.

"Stuart has his head screwed on. We are excited about him but the last thing I want to do is put a huge amount of expectation on his shoulders.

"We have coped without Freddie in the past when others have taken on the responsibility with bat and ball."

England departed for South Africa last night with Kevin Pietersen set to join them on November 9 after recovering from the Achilles injury that saw him miss the last three Ashes Tests.

Graeme Smith's side are on top of the world Test rankings and Strauss added: "Playing South Africa away from home is probably the hardest assignment you can get.

"The Ashes gets more hype but in purely cricketing terms this is a tougher assignment. But when you are at the top of the tree everyone is hunting you so, hopefully, we can knock them down a peg or two."

Strauss is one of four South African-born players in England's party and they have been promised a spicy reception from the boisterous Bok crowds.

Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Matt Prior all expect some stick. But Strauss said: "The selectors pick the 15 best England qualified players. The fact that some of them have been born out of these shores is of no consequence.

"These players have shown hunger and determination and deserve to be playing for England."

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