Selectors monitor workload

Andrew Flintoff will combine his roles as all-rounder and captain © Getty Images

England will continue to keep an eye on the effects of captaincy on Andrew Flintoff as he prepares to lead the side in the opening npower Test against Sri Lanka.

The Lancashire all-rounder was confirmed as England's captain for the start of the three-Test series when chairman of selectors David Graveney announced a 13-man squad for Lord’s.

He will become the first all-rounder to lead England in a Test at headquarters since Ian Botham in the 1981 Ashes, but, just like his celebrated predecessor, the selectors are concerned at the workload of Flintoff as key batsman, bowler and captain.

Regular skipper Michael Vaughan is poised to make his return from a long-standing knee injury in the next couple of weeks and Graveney confirmed the selectors’ concerns about giving Flintoff too much responsibility.

"We will continue to monitor the situation Test by Test until Michael comes back," confirmed Graveney.

"We hear loud and clear what people are saying about Freddie's workload and we are as keen as everyone else to ensure his performance is not affected."

Flintoff has kept the role primarily because of his incredible efforts in leading England to a series draw in India in Vaughan's absence and a memorable victory in the final Test at Mumbai.

Those displays of leadership alone were enough to convince the selectors that England's squad would be inspired by Flintoff as captain.

Flintoff's performance in India undoubtedly lifted England

"I know there's a lot of cricket between now and the last Test match but let's not forget the Mumbai Test match – with a pretty depleted team Andrew did a fantastic job," said Graveney.

"We take it Test match by Test match, but Michael Vaughan is captain of England and we, in discussion with him, believe that Andrew at this stage is the right man for the job.

"Michael's rehabilitation is going pretty well and the player knows how close he is to fitness.

"I speak to him on a number of occasions as captain and it is difficult with him when he's not involved.

"He is progressing very well and we're keeping our fingers crossed because he is crucial to what happens later this summer and for the Ashes."

Flintoff will lead an interesting squad with Lancashire team-mate Sajid Mahmood and Gloucestershire seamer Jon Lewis two uncapped players included in the team deliberations.

The chances of being given their Test debuts will depend on whether England decide whether to go into the match with spinner Monty Panesar - who fought off competition from the more experienced Shaun Udal to retain his place - or rely on an all-seam line-up.

Durham's Liam Plunkett has also been included after an impressive winter and is expected to be named in attack alongside Yorkshire's Matthew Hoggard and Flintoff.

Together they will hope to test out a Sri Lankan batting line-up stripped of confidence following a 10-wicket defeat to England A.

Flintoff, meanwhile, has moved to the top of the Test all-rounder world rankings despite not playing five-day cricket over the past month.

His elevation comes courtesy of Jacques Kallis, whose performance in South Africa’s 2-0 series victory over New Zealand was not enough to keep him top of the pile.