Flintoff wants an end to DRS

DRS was a hot topic of conversation during this summer's Ashes series, particularly during the first three Tests, with a host of close calls affecting both England and Australia.

Indeed the issue was severe enough for the International Cricket Council's director of operations to meet with players and staff from both teams after the third contest at Old Trafford to discuss the issue.

The final two matches passed with little controversy and there were even instances where the system proved its worth to the game, yet Flintoff is unimpressed.

Instead, the former all-rounder would like to see decisions rest solely on the shoulders of the umpires.

"I got a hundred against New Zealand at Gloucester and got caught behind for about 15. But I stayed out there," he told Press Association Sport.

"On the flip side you get some shocking decisions and you've got to walk off. It evens itself out, it doesn't need DRS, let the umpires make the decisions.

"I think it's one of the few games left where the umpire decision is final. It's not like football where they'll stand there shouting, screaming and swearing at them. Like it or lump it, he'll stick his finger up or not and you've got to get on with the next ball.

"I don't think it's needed, just let the umpire do it."

Another controversial moment in the Ashes series centred on England's bowling all-rounder Stuart Broad standing his ground despite clearly edging a delivery from Ashton Agar that was caught at first slip in the first Test.

The matter was brought back into focus on Monday when Broad insisted he had no regrets, believing England may have lost a Test they won by 14 runs had he walked off.

Broad's stance was supported by two-time Ashes winner Flintoff, who would have criticised the Nottinghamshire man if he accepted he was out before waiting for the umpire's decision.

"I can't believe that people have got on their high horses about it, players, ex-players, everyone. It happens every day in county cricket, every day in professional cricket," Flintoff added.

"What are you going to do if a bowler got an lbw decision and it wasn't out? Are you going to call him back?

"It's part and parcel of the game. If I'd have been in the dressing room and Stuart Broad had walked and the umpire hadn't given him out, I'd have had a right go at him."

Broad, along with England captain Alastair Cook sat out a practice session at Floreat Oval in Western Australia on Tuesday as the tourists trained ahead of their opening three-day game against a Western Australia Chairman's XI at the WACA Ground later this week.

:: Andrew Flintoff was talking to the Press Association in his role as an ambassador for Britain's Biggest bookmaker William Hill. Keep up to date with Fred's Ashes views throughout the Ashes at www.williamhill.com.