Freddie will bowl you over

Aug 11 2005 By Anna Jeys, Evening Mail

SPORTS mad staff at a Birmingham bar have created a new cocktail in honour of cricket hero Freddie Flintoff.

Staff at the Sports Cafe, on Birmingham's Broad Street, were so impressed by golden boy of English cricket's match winning display they have dedicated a special cocktail to him.

The last gasp victory at Edgbaston on Sunday brought droves of drinkers to Birmingham's bars, and staff thought the boost in trade was worthy of a special honour, ahead of today's third test at Old Trafford.

Manager Martin Murphy, 31, said: "We were very busy whilst the cricket was on. The atmosphere was fantastic and everyone was just enjoying themselves. Everyone was in a great mood, there were no idiots like can follow some other sports.

"After the Birmingham bomb scare people stopped coming into town. We have had the quietest month of the year.

"But business is starting to pick up now. The police presence is really good on Broad Street now and they are making a real effort to make the bars and the public feel safe.