Flower hopes Flintoff will be ready for Lord’s Test

LONDON - England coach Andy Flower is optimistic that his key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be ready in time for the second Ashes Test starting Thursday at Lord’s.

Flintoff’s right knee, operated recently, ballooned during the first Test against Australia in Cardiff. The English cricketer Monday met his surgeon, who gave some injection after which Flintoff had a short batting session at the nets Tuesday.

Flower said that Flintoff will undergo a fitness test on the eve of the match after his fitness will be assessed.

“His surgeon who operated on his knee was quite optimistic about him playing in this game. The suggestion is that he’ll be okay but we can only make that decision later,” Flower was quoted as saying in The Daily Telegraph.

“I think with Fred, and his injury record, we are always concerned, to be honest. At this time of his career, his body is in the sort of state when he seems vulnerable a lot of the time. We can’t get away from that but he’s a hell of a player and we want him in our side if he’s fit,” he said.

If Flintoff is unfit, fast bowler Steve Harmison will replace him. Flower said he was happy with Harmison’s performance in the domestic season.

“I never drew any line under Steve. He’s a very good fast bowler with a very good record for England, so he was always in our minds.

“He’s in form, as is Graham Onions, but we’ll look at the pitch and decide what balance of bowlers we want. He’s a like-for-like replacement for Flintoff, but we’ll see what is needed for the match,” Flower said.