London, July 22: England coach Andy Flower has insisted his side can win the Ashes even if star men Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen are ruled out of the remainder of the series through injury.
Fast bowler Flintoff defied a knee problem, the latest in a lengthy list of injuries, to take five wickets for 92 runs as England won their first Test against Australia at Lord’s in 75 years yesterday.
England’s 115-run victory put them 1-0 up with three to play in what Flintoff had said, on the eve of the match, would be his final Test series.
Pietersen, meanwhile, has been struggling with an Achilles injury that dates back to England’s tour of the Caribbean in April and a decision on whether he needs an operation could be made this week.
It was widely thought that if England were to regain the Ashes, both Pietersen and Flintoff had to feature throughout.
–PTI