Andrew Flintoff is hopping around the nets at the Bellerive Oval, happily swatting deliveries away in his spotless yellow kit. A part of the millionare club in the IPL, Flintoff talks about the dream house that’s close to reality now and the urge to live up to the big-hitter tag. Excerpts from an interview with The Indian Express:

How are you warming up for the Indian Premier League?

• There are players of different backgrounds and I’ve been spending this time getting to know others, making the guys comfortable and helping them out. Some of the Indian domestic players are superb and extremely talented.

How does it feel being the highest paid player here?

• (Laughs) I am enjoying the feeling of being the most-valued player in the IPL. I was a bit surprised, but the money will help me get my dream house back home, something big like the footballers, you never know. It’s been in the making for three months and the money is pretty handy. Hopefully, my coming in will add value to the team’s performance as well.

It’s been a while since Freddie the batsman has really fired.

• After coming back from injury, I have been bowling fine but I want to get some runs under the belt. I am feeling good about my batting, and hopefully, very soon, some bowler will have to pay. It may be the next game, you never know. I will play my natural, aggressive game and this format will help me go for my shots.

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