JUST when I think the England cricket selectors are getting it right by opting for youth they make another drastic error.

They have failed to keep a consistent side together, after dropping Andrew Flintoff, even though they won two Test matches.

It was great to see Preston's Flintoff and other sporting youngsters like Michael Owen performing at the highest level this summer but to see one of them axed is disheartening.

Playing youngsters is something I have believed in for a long time.

They can offer a different approach to sport because you can see they're enjoying the game and their relaxed and not afraid of pressure. But after only two matches the 20-year-old all-rounder has lost his place from a winning test match side with only three innings and a disputed decision under his belt!

In the games he played in, Flintoff became a vital part of the national side which won both games and the series against South Africa.

Although he scored a pair in the Test match at Headingley he offered England versatility as a fourth bowler and seventh batter.

He was confident in the field - taking a couple of important catches - and looked to be fitting in well with his England team-mates, but now he's dropped!

I feel that this is a ridiculous decision. For some reason the England selectors expect players to come in and become an overnight success. They had learned from Australia and other nations by choosing youngsters but they're still miles behind them when it comes to keeping a settled side.

One of the greatest captains ever, Allan Border, started his reign as the Australian skipper with a succession of poor results.

Did the Aussie selectors drop him and re-instate new blood straight away? No, they kept faith with him and he went on to take Australia to be the best side in the world.

Flintoff, after two tests, now must join hundreds of other county cricketers in a bid to try and get back in to the England team.

I'm sure he will be back, but when he's recalled he will be nervous and under pressure to do well.

Meanwhile, I think the success of the British Athletics team at the European Championships in Budapest was tremendous.

To win nine gold medals and beat over 40 other countries by topping the medal table was fantastic.

Most of the nations - including the poorer ones such as Romania and Hungary - have better facilities than we do, including a National Athletics Stadium holding more than 50,000 people.

They have indoor running tracks and excellent facilities for their athletes. We have nothing like that and rely on other countries to get the best out of our runners.

Bearing that in mind, to top the table and hear the national anthem nine times was great!

If you have any views on recent topics I've discussed like admission prices, cricket selectors or athletic facilities then let me know.

You can write to me at Preston Citizen, 3, Winckley Court, Preston PR1 3JJ.

Alternatively, you can E-mail me at kjack@newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.