Leeds, August 12: England has been handed a boost before next week’s Ashes decider with Andrew Flintoff set to be fit for his farewell Test at the Oval.
The England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement saying the swelling in his knee had reduced ”significantly” and that medical advice was that ”subject to further rest and intensive treatment, he will be available for selection for the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval”.
It also said that swing bowler James Anderson (hamstring) should be available for the clash starting Thursday week.
Flintoff’s fitness is a morale-booster for the England side after he missed its innings-and-80-run loss at Headingley on Sunday that left the Ashes series tied at 1-1. The big Lancastrian bowled England to victory in the second Test at Lord’s three weeks ago.
Marcus Trescothick could be talked out of international retirement to bolster England’s batting, according to his Somerset boss.
The left-handed opener has not played Test cricket since coming home before the start of the 2006/07 Ashes tour in Australia with a stress-related illness.
Trescothick has this year hit 1130 first-class runs from 18 matches at an average of over 78 with six centuries.
—–Agencies