International
Flintoff eyes first Test
ANDREW Flintoff is adamant he
will be fit for the first Test of the
summer against New Zealand at
Lord's on May 15, if selected.
But the 30-year-old all-rounder
is still urging caution over his rehabilitation
from a fourth operation
on his problematic left
ankle.
The former England skipper is
in line to start the season playing
a full part'' for his county
Lancashire, beginning with
three days of friendly cricket
against Yorkshire at Old Trafford
on Monday.
There is a Test match on May
15 which I would love to be involved
in,'' said Flintoff.
I have missed a lot of international
cricket through injury and
I don't want to miss any more.
But I am under no illusions that
if I am to get back in that side I
have to be fit and playing well.
I would love to put my name
in the hat but even if I am playing
well they have just won two
Test matches on the bounce. I
would just like to be in the mix.
There is a lot of cricket at
Lancashire at the start of the season
- both Championship and
one-day games.
I would love to be involved but
I am not going to get ahead of myself.
I know it's a bit of a cliche
but let's just take it day by day.''
Flintoff believes the England
and Lancashire medical teams
have got his recovery right this
time by the virtue of not rushing
anything.
He was eased back into action
on the club's pre-season tour of
the United Arab Emirates, where
he bowled a total of nine overs
against Sussex and Yorkshire in
Abu Dhabi.
He has since upped his work
rate, bowling at close to full
speed for spells of between five to
eight overs in the nets.
Lancashire cricket manager
Mike Watkinson said his star
man had been bowling with
good gas'', and Flintoff continued:
We have just taken more
time this time - there is nothing
we have rushed back for.
We have made a concerted effort
this time not to rush my
rehab. There has been nothing
like in the past where there has
been an Ashes or a World Cup to
rush back for.
We are at such a late stage
now it would be foolish to push it
too much.
I ask on a daily basis what I
am doing with my programme
and I just get on with it. I have
been bowling between five to
eight overs a day."
10:59am Friday 4th April 2008
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