Arthur predicts Flintoff return

1 July 2008

Andrew Flintoff is pressing for a return to the England side for the opening Test

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur “will not be surprised” if England recall Andrew Flintoff for the first npower Test at Lord’s starting next week.

Flintoff is currently playing for Lancashire against Sussex in the LV County Championship clash at Hove as he strives to prove his match fitness following a side injury.

The England selectors will announce the squad for the first Test on Thursday - in addition to the 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September.

Arthur, speaking after his side’s drawn game with Somerset at Taunton, believes Flintoff’s inclusion will enhance the quality of the England side.

He said: “Flintoff certainly gives the England attack a different flavour because he has got that bustling pace. It will be tempting to play him if he is fighting fit.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he came straight back in. I think he is a quality, quality cricketer. I think Flintoff coming back strengthens England.

“But I wouldn’t want to be selecting the side because I am not sure if you can bank on him coming straight back in and giving the amount of overs a Stuart Broad or a James Anderson would.

“But if I had a Flintoff, I’d have him back. It might be a gamble but Peter Moores knows what he is doing. He will assess things but when you’ve got a quality player like him available, you’ll want to pick him.”

Arthur was pleased with the performance of his side at Taunton as Somerset ended on 115 for three after being set a nominal 482 to win in 46 overs.

“I think we have got everything we wanted,” he added. “We couldn’t have scripted it better.

"We wanted to build our bowlers up and we’ve got another three-day game before the Test.

“We didn’t want to overbowl them because there is a day off tomorrow and then probably not another until the day after the Headingley test match.

Paul Harris en route to 50 not out on the final day of a satisfactory match for South Africa at Taunton

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“I think we’ve got exactly what we wanted. You probably get more intensity in two-day warm-up games because you bat for one day and bowl for one day. The third day tends to drag on a bit but we are very happy where we are at the moment.

“Our focus is on July 10 and everything we do leading up to that is about getting ready for that day.”

Opener Neil McKenzie and spinner Paul Harris scored half-centuries before the declaration and then Morne Morkel, Andre Nel and Harris picked up a wicket apiece.

Arthur is anticipating the likely Test side will be fielded in the three-day game with Middlesex at Uxbridge starting on Friday.

Skipper Graeme Smith (hamstring), all-rounder Jacques Kallis (elbow) and opening batsman Hashim Amla (groin) are all expected to be fit.

Arthur said: “Jacques is fine. He will play against Middlesex. At this stage, we would probably want to put out our Test line-up in the game at Uxbridge.

“Graeme is well on course, came through a net this morning, looked like he hadn’t been out of the nets. He got forward, got back and played well.

“Hashim hurt a groin, just a slight groin strain, when he batted. There was no point in risking it. If it had been a Test, he would certainly have been out there fielding and batting as well.

“He will get another couple of knocks at Uxbridge.”