Freddie gets time to prove Ashes fitness

Published on Thursday 6 August 2009 10:17

ANDREW FLINTOFF is expected to be given until tomorrow morning before England decide on his fitness for the fourth npower Ashes Test.

All-rounder Flintoff batted in the middle at Headingley yesterday but opted not to bowl as a precautionary measure.

The 31-year-old has been icing his injured right knee since the Edgbaston draw on Monday evening, which left England 1-0 up with two to play.

He did not bowl in that match once it became obvious England could not win and the management are likely to put off any decision until the morning of the match.

Flintoff has so far defied the pain to turn in a man-of-the-match display with the ball at Lord's and returned to form with the bat with 74 in England's only innings in Birmingham.

Fast bowler Graham Onions said: "Everyone knows that Andrew Flintoff is a legend who is a great person to have in our team. I think we are a stronger team with him but that is only if he is 100 per cent fit. Andrew's going to be very honest. It is a shame that his body is in a little bit of discomfort at the moment but I am sure he will do everything he possibly can to be fit."