Thaindian News

London, June 2 (IANS) England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is not sure whether he will be fit in time for the Ashes series starting July 8.
Flintoff, who was bought by Chennai Super Kings for a record $1.55 million, tore his cartilage while playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa. He had to undergo a keyhole surgery and now a continuing and intensive recovery programme has left him with a race against the clock.

Asked when he will bowl again, Flintoff said: “So when will I bowl and bat in anger again? I don’t know to be honest - it’s hard to say in stone.”

But he still remained optimistic and said that he hopes to make a comeback for Lancashire against Hampshire, June 17 in Liverpool.

“Lancashire have got three championship games this month, I’ll be hoping to make at least the last one of them,” Flintoff was quoted as saying by The Times, London.

“I’ve got to come back when I’m right and get the knee and the rest of my body right because, coming back from injury, other parts of my body are susceptible. But I’m not too worried about the schedule. It is what it is and it’s going to be good fun,” he said.

The dream of playing in the Ashes is what is driving Flintoff to get ready in time for the first Test at Cardiff.

“It is frustrating but there’s nothing that I can do about it except keep coming back and getting myself in shape,” he said.

“It’s just unfortunate this last one. You think you are over the ankle stuff (he has had four operations on his left ankle), then your knee starts playing up, but the reward is the dream to play in the Ashes. When you are training you think everything is against you but the one thing that spurs you on is the thought of putting on an England shirt again and playing against Australia,” he said.

The 31-year-old England all-rounder said that the injury could have happened anywhere and it was wrong to blame his IPL stint.

“I went with a clear conscience, even though it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to. I did get injured but it is a degenerative thing and it’s been a problem that’s been going on for a while. I could have been playing for Chennai in Durban or for Lancashire at Sussex, it would still have happened,” he said.