Cricket: Flintoff to captain England in Ashes series

Andrew Flintoff will captain England in their Ashes defence in Australia this year even though he has yet to make a full recovery from the ankle injury which sidelined him for the four-test series against Pakistan.

Flintoff was one of four players currently on the injury list who were named in a 16-man squad today for the eagerly awaited series starting in Brisbane on Nov. 23.

The selectors are gambling that pace bowlers James Anderson (back) and Liam Plunkett (side) plus left-arm spinner Ashley Giles (hip) will make full recoveries before the team travel to Australia.

In addition, opening batsman Marcus Trescothick will miss the ICC Champions Trophy one-day competition in India next month while he receives treatment for stress.

Neither Anderson nor Giles, a key member of England's Ashes winning side last year, have played this season while Plunkett has missed the second half of the season with a side strain.

Flintoff took over from Ashes captain Michael Vaughan, another injury casualty, in India this year and led his side to a stirring series-equalling win in Mumbai.

After the decision to operate on Flintoff's injured ankle following the 1-1 series draw with Sri Lanka, Andrew Strauss was named as his replacement, making an inauspicious start when his side were thrashed 5-0 by Sri Lanka in their one-day series.

But Strauss then led England to a 3-0 victory over Pakistan, showing that the responsibilities of captaincy did not affect his form by scoring two centuries.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney told Sky television on Tuesday the selectors had held several meetings to discuss the captaincy issue.

"We had agreed on the touring party but not the captaincy," he said. "We have reverted back to what the situation was in India, we have just reverted back to the status quo."

Graveney defended the selectors' decision to pick several players who were not currently playing,

He said Anderson was due to play in a four-day match before the end of the English season while Plunkett had recently undergone two full training sessions,

Graveney said Flintoff's recovery programme was ahead of schedule and Giles would travel to India with the one-day squad to continue his recuperation.

But the England management have also moved to ensure there is instant cover for any injuries in Australia by naming a 14-man development squad which will be based in Perth from Nov. 15 to Dec. 22.

The squad includes fast bowler Stuart Broad and Middlesex all rounder James Dalrymple who were possibilities for the touring party.

Flintoff told a news conference he had received a telephone call from Graveney on Monday saying he had been selected as captain.

"I am obviously very pleased and delighted to lead an England side in Australia," he said. "I am excited by the challenge and relishing the opportunity."

The Lancashire all rounder, who will also lead the Champions Trophy side, said he had not ruled out bowling in India.

"My ankle is getting better," he said. "The rest of my body is probably as fit as it's ever been."

England:

Andrew Flintoff (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Chris Read, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Monty Panesar, Stephen Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Sajid Mahmood, Liam Plunkett, James Anderson.

- REUTERS