Flintoff confident of recovery

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff expects to be fit to take on the Australians this summer

Andrew Flintoff is confident he will recover from surgery on his left ankle in time to face Australia in this summer’s Ashes.

The 27-year-old recently had an operation on a troublesome bone spur, after returning victorious from the Test series in South Africa, and is expected to need at least three months’ recovery time.

The Lancashire all-rounder, on crutches at Carlisle races where he watched his horse Flintoff run well to finish second in the HBLB ‘Junior’ Standard Open NH Flat Race, expects to play a couple of county matches before the first Ashes Test at Lord’s on July 21.

England are also due to face Australia - before the Ashes - in the NatWest Series and NatWest Challenge one-day internationals.

Flintoff played a key role in helping England defeat South Africa in the Test series

Flintoff promised: “I’ll get fit for the Ashes. It’s something I’m really looking forward to.

“I’ve never played a Test match against Australia, although I’ve played in two or three one-day internationals.

“I think my rehabilitation is three or four months, and we don’t start until the end of July - so I’ve got plenty of time to ensure I am fit.

“I hope to get a few games in for Lancashire before then and try and get into some sort of form and hit the ground running.

“We are getting closer to them - and over the last 18 months since Michael Vaughan has taken over we’ve improved as a side.”

Flintoff had to have cortisone injections to play against South Africa, and the decision for him to miss the current one-day series in order to have the operation was taken with the Ashes in mind.

Once the operation has healed, Flintoff can begin putting in some hard practice

He flew home last month after helping England defeat South Africa 2-1 - their first Test series victory in that country in 40 years - but is aware the team have to keep improving if they are to achieve a first win over Australia since 1986-7.

“We won in South Africa not playing particularly well - but to beat the Australians we are going to have to be at the top of our game,” Flintoff added.

“It’s something the side is excited about. It’s the biggest challenge in cricket to play against the best in the world, and everyone is looking forward to it.

“I truly believe this year we have a great chance of winning the Ashes, although Australia are obviously a great team.”

Flintoff also revealed he believes he has not yet reached the peak of his powers and expects to be an even better batsman in a couple of years’ time.

Despite being named 2004 one-day player of the year he accepts he is not the finished article just yet.

Flintoff was named ODI player of the year in 2004

“Some of the best batters in the world probably peaked at 30 or 31, so I have got a bit in me yet. I have had a few injuries - I had a back problem as a kid,” said Flintoff.

“As a batter I am hoping I am getting better and better and when I get to 33 I hope I will be firing on all cylinders.

“By no means do I regard myself as a celebrity - I am the same bloke I was when I was 18, except I am just enjoying my cricket a bit more now.”

Flintoff, who will marry his fiancee Rachel next month, revealed that the birth of his daughter Holly last year has been one of the best cures to fighting the stress of being a professional cricketer.

“There are times when I have felt the pressure, but at the moment I play cricket the only way I can,” he added.

“I enjoy hitting the ball, I enjoy trying to bowl fast and that is what I do, then I go home in the evenings, spend time with the missus and the baby and that relieves everything.”