Fred's back - not that you wouldn't have noticed. The return of Andrew Flintoff to England's Test side is a momentous occasion and could have significant bearings on the little matter of the Ashes next summer. England's golden boy is back and his fans are now praying he delivers.
Makes no mistake about it: England need Flintoff in the side. The stalemate with South Africa last week identified two things about this series. One, that South Africa have a batting line-up that will take some doing over, very similar to a certain Australian batting line-up. And two, that England cannot be doing with just four bowlers. I have made this point before - it is all well and good England succeeding against teams like the West Indies and New Zealand with just the four man attack. When the decent teams come calling, it gets a bit harder. Observe England's defeats to India and Sri Lanka last year as evidence of that.
England need a bowler of hostility and quality that can provide a breakthrough or two against strong teams on flat, batting pitches. When South Africa got their heads down at Lords, they made a mammoth score and England simply didn't have the firepower to bowl them out on such a good batting pitch. Admittedly, the Headingley pitch for the second test is more bowler condusive and has a great chance of showing a result but England are right to bring Flintoff back in. Especially so if the bowlers are still suffering from their exploits in the field last week. James Anderson is a doubt with a stiff back and Ryan Sidebottom is also a worry for the match. If you believe the pessimists then Stuart Broad is also doubtful with an ankle problem. It's unlikely all three will miss the game but could you imagine going into a test match with three struggling bowlers and Monty Panesar? It would be carnage.
Hampshire's Chris Tremlett has been brought into the squad as a precaution and, interestingly, England named Nottinghamshire's Darren Pattinson as extra cover, should Anderson and Sidebottom be unavailable. It's a bold move from the selectors who ignored the obvious choices of Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison or even Simon Jones to go with someone who is having a great season but is ultimately unproven. Pattinson, raised in Australia, has been a revelation this season for Notts and has likely been chosen for his ability to swing the ball. Mind you, Hoggard swings the ball better than most and this is his home ground. But what do I know about selecting?
Another interesting issue about the Flintoff recall is his posistion in the batting line-up. Flintoff is down to come in at seven and I think this is a good move. I know I have previously championed Flintoff as a number six but I think playing him one place down is a wise move. Stuart Broad's rapid rise with the bat provides a slight safety net should Flintoff fail straight away and Tim Ambrose is more than capable to bat at six, despite the harsh and pointless criticism of him recently. Flintoff will hopefully now be more comfortable at a lower place and not feel under as much pressure as he would at six. Mind you if he makes hundred then you'll be hearing calls for him to open at Edgbaston.
England had a good-ish test at Lords. They surprised people with their batting and they did manage to bowl out the South Africans once for a low score. But They were toothless on the last two days and England will be desperate for Flintoff to provide them with a spark. Certainly, it is hoped that the batsman continue their success. Or that Michael Vaughan has any success altogether. Ian Bell must surely kick on now and be a more solid batsman. I'm not demanding another 199 but a solid, helpful score will push him higher in many people's estimates.
Predictions? I'm finding it hard to call on this one. I think it obviously depends on which England turn up and if they bat first and make a big socre, I can see them winning. Should the coin fall on the other side and Graeme Smith choose to bat then I can see South Africa batting England out of the match and then ramming home their advantage with the ball. I hate to say but I think it depends on the toss. Either way, all eyes will be on a certain Andrew Flintoff and he will hopefully herald a return to those glory days of 2005.
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