Spin the thing for Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff is pleased with the emergence of Monty Panesar © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff is relishing the prospect of pairing England spin twins Monty Panesar and Ashley Giles for the first time on this winter’s Ashes tour.

Panesar’s emergence as a bowler of genuine Test-match quality while Giles was injured this summer has given England the options of picking the man in form or playing the duo in harness under the right conditions.

“It’s going to be great having those two there. As with a lot of the lads, there’s competition for places in the squad which has got to be healthy,” said Flintoff, named captain for the series.

Both Giles, who - because of a hip operation - has not played since the second Test in Pakistan last November, and Flintoff, who recently underwent ankle surgery, will be aiming to complete their return to full fitness during next month’s ICC Champions Trophy.

Panesar, who will not be in India after being told by chairman of selectors David Graveney to concentrate on Test cricket for the time being, will try to compete with the menace of Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne when England defend the Ashes, starting in Brisbane on November 23.

“Monty has improved a hell of a lot during the summer,” said Flintoff, in London for a signing session to launch his new book - Freddie My World.

Ashley Giles was an integral part of the 2005 Ashes squad

“I was in the Academy with him a few years ago and since he has played for England he has got better and better and better.

“He’s obviously a favourite with the public and Ashley Giles has been a great performer for England over the past few years. He’s looking very fit, he’s bowling again and it’s looking good.”

In his book, Flintoff expresses his desire to go on to even bigger things with England following last summer’s epic Ashes series success.

He said: “I understand all the attention paid to the Ashes but I want to go on and play for the best team in the world and if we are to become that we need to beat teams home and away all round the world, just like the Australians have done for so long.

“I want to beat Australia in their own country and I want to help England win the World Cup in March. I have plenty of ambition and a lot of things still to do.

“This England team is a young one and there is no reason why we can’t develop together. I hope that the Ashes win isn’t a pinnacle for this side, but the starting point for us to go on and become the best team in the world.”

But first comes the Champions Trophy and Flintoff added: “I can’t wait to go to India. I’ve missed 12 weeks of the season and all I want to do is get out there and play again.”