London, Jan.18 (ANI): Former England skipper Andrew Flintoff remained a staunch supporter of sacked coach Peter Moores during the recent internal feuding with Kevin Pietersen.

In a frank interview that is to appear in The Observer, Flintoff says he did not support the move to oust Moores, and told Pietersen of his views.

“We had a sense of what was happening out in India and the one thing with Kevin, which I’ve said to him, was: ‘As a captain, as a player, I’ll support you.’ The way I played proves that,” said Flintoff.

“I didn’t want him to finish. I thought he could have given himself time to grow into the role. But I couldn’t support him in not having the coach there, because I had a good relationship with Peter Moores, and I was open about that with Kevin, with Mooresy and Hugh. To be fair to Mooresy the one thing he’s kept is his dignity. Because he’s a good man. He is a good man.”

As for new captain Andrew Strauss, Flintoff said. “I get on well with Strauss. He’s actually a good man. He’s his own man. We’re very much chalk and cheese, but we get on fine. He’s the brunt of the jokes sometimes, so we’re going to have to tone that down.”

He also said that fast bowler Steve Harmison is a great asset for the team.

“Harmy’s great for the team. If anyone’s got a problem they go straight to Harmy. He’s got his door open every time. He’s got his DVDs. It’s almost as if Harmy’s room has become the team room or the common room for everyone. His influence on the side, which isn’t seen, is absolutely huge,” said Flintoff.

Flintoff also says that he has no desire to return to captain England again.

“When [Michael] Vaughany came back in I was glad to go back to the ranks. As a player I go home and switch off. As a captain I couldn’t. It was with me all the time. And that affected me. It affected my mood. It’s not something I’d want to do again,” he said. (ANI)