The legendary West Indian said Flintoff inspired belief in the rest of the team and led by example.

"The way Flintoff plays inspires belief in the rest of his team, and he drags them with him. He can now go out and run it around, play himself in, and then attack," he said.

"Ian didn't make things happen, he'd go out and smack it about, and if it didn't come off, that was just the way he played," he

However, Sobers said captaincy might affect Flintoff in the upcoming Ashes battle with Australia.

"Flintoff must learn to manage the different situations, when is the right time to bowl himself and when is the right time to hold back." Sobers said the absence of paceman Simon Jones, who played a big role in England's Ashes triumph in 2005, would add to the weight on Flintoff's shoulders.

However, Sobers refused to be drawn on whether Flintoff was the right man to lead England.

 "As an observer it is impossible to make such a comment without knowing well the characters you are dealing with," he said.