Flintoff set to recover for second Ashes Test
TALISMANIC England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is expected to shake off a knee injury in time for tomorrow’s second Ashes Test against Australia.
Head coach Andy Flower is waiting until today to make a decision on Flintoff, who felt pain after England snatched a draw in the first Test on Sunday. Flintoff needed an injection on Monday but doctors have given Flower hope that one of the heroes of the triumphant 2005 series will be fit to play at Lord’s.
“Fred Flintoff saw his surgeon yesterday Monday and he is quite optimistic about him playing in this Test match,” Flower said.
“He had an injection and we’re letting it settle down today so he won’t bowl and just have a bat. But he will bowl tomorrow and we’ll see how he is and make a decision from there.
Durham paceman Steve Harmison was included in a 14-man squad for the second Test and is set to step in should Flintoff fail to recover.
The Lancashire player’s injury is in the same knee that needed an operation earlier this year after playing in the Indian Premier League.
He added: “Fred knows his body quite well now and he will know after training in the next couple of days whether he will be able to make a contribution to this Test.”