Flower outlines contingency plan

Try as they might, England could not get rid of Daren Powell, or his stubborn ally Fidel Edwards

Assistant coach Andy Flower has already launched his campaign to turn around England’s fortunes as England head to Barbados to prepare for the fourth Test.

The tourists will go to the Kensington Oval 1-0 down in the five-match series after West Indies’ last-wicket partnership held out for a draw at the Antigua Recreation Ground yesterday.

Flower, the former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batsman, could not fault England’s efforts on the fifth day, against some dogged West Indian resistance and on a surface that showed only marginal deterioration.

But he promised he would address the task of bowling good sides out on the final day of a Test.

“Yesterday we had to make them play as much as possible and I thought it was a lion-hearted effort on everyone's part,” Flower said.

“Those guys hunted wickets hungrily throughout this Test match in both innings.

“They gave everything they had yesterday but if we aren't bowling sides out regularly, obviously it is our responsibility to question why not and do something about it.

“There have been a few cases, so we have to examine why. Questions have to be asked.”

England also face the prospect of making changes to their side, due to injury doubts over key bowlers.

Andrew Flintoff was due to have an MRI scan on a suspected muscle tear in his right hip today - the results of which will be revealed tomorrow.

The talismanic all-rounder underwent an anti-inflammatory injection during this week's nail-biting draw.

Although the 31-year-old went through the pain barrier to send down a dozen overs on a final day of excruciating frustration in St John’s yesterday, England will mull over potential contingency combinations in the next 48 hours.

“I was very concerned about (Flintoff) doing himself lasting damage but I don't think that is the case luckily,” said Flower.

Graeme Swann, who bowled so well at the ARG, has elbow problems going to Barbados

“Before the day started there was a line that he and Andrew Strauss had to walk, between using him when we needed him, and not doing himself lasting damage.

“I think they did that, though we will find out tomorrow when we get the scan results.”

Both Amjad Khan and Ravi Bopara could therefore feature in the two-day tour match against a Barbados Cricket Association President’s XI, starting on Sunday, just hours after a long haul journey from New Zealand.

“Part of the reason we have called up Ravi Bopara is because if we decided to play six batsmen we wouldn't have anyone in reserve, so if someone bust a finger in the two-day game, we wouldn't be able to play six,” explained Flower.

“On the other hand if he (Flintoff) is out - and it is quite likely he might be out of the next Test - we would be one seamer down, so we have got Amjad Khan in.”

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior is also on call to return home for the birth of his first child, and currently scheduled to fly back on March 2, immediately upon the conclusion of the Barbados Test.

If he starts the match, Prior is committed to playing, but should his wife Emily go into labour before next Thursday, he would temporarily quit the tour. Tim Ambrose is set to keep wicket in Prior's absence.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann received a late-call up in St John’s and repaid it with a wonderful display of flight and precision with figures of 9-149.

But Swann is battling an elbow injury, which has put his own retention in the side in doubt.

Left-armer Ryan Sidebottom's struggles with injury also continue, which further explains why England felt it necessary to extend the squad to 18 members.

“Sidebottom is getting his fitness back after quite a long time out,” Flower explained.

“He played the first Test and struggled a bit. He has had a chronic Achilles problem, and is getting back to full fitness.”