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What does the summer of 2008 hold for Andrew Flintoff?

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Andrew Hughes puts a a fair few of England's recent problems down to the absence through injury of Andrew Flintoff but just how fit is he and what role will he play for England should he return?

Two issues will define this English summer. There is of course, the long shadow cast by the IPL and its implications. But just now, something even more significant is exercising the minds of everyone in English cricket: when's Freddie coming back?

The man whose warrior-like performances defined the summer of 2005 has been missing for months and England are a different team without him. His was the pivotal role; an aggressive and accurate strike bowler and a punishing lower order batsman whose personality was central to the ethos of the team. So often his big-hearted performances determined the tempo of the game and hauled England to victory. In his absence, they have lacked punch (and I don't just mean of the rum variety). His return would bring instant balance to a misfiring outfit.

Of course, what everyone is thinking but not saying is that if this comeback fails, it is likely to be the end of his England career. Last year Alan Donald recommended a change in bowling action (link) as a solution to his recurring ankle problems. But Flintoff instead put his faith in more surgery, this time having a large piece of bone removed by a Dutch specialist. The operation went well, but then so did the previous three. The test will be in a few months time, after a summer pounding his left foot into hard pitches. If he were to break down again, England would have to accept that he wasn't coming back again and move on.

However, he has at least given himself longer to recuperate this time. And the refreshing degree of cooperation between the England set-up and Lancashire has helped him to stick to his rehabilitation schedule. So is he ready? Well, so far, he has bowled 59 overs for 139 runs and taken 3 wickets. He suffered a first ball duck against Somerset but his two scores in the twenties against Surrey and Scotland were achieved at a run a ball and he has already notched up a few boundaries, suggesting his timing is returning. Marcus Trescothick who faced him at Old Trafford is convinced he is back to something like his best (link)

Then again, it wouldn't be in anyone's interest for him to rush back, least of all Lancashire's. After all, they are the current favourites at [5.9] to win the County Championship that narrowly eluded them last year and Flintoff's presence would be a huge boost to their campaign. More specifically, if his England comeback were delayed until after the first two Tests, he would be available for all their group games in the Friends Provident Trophy (for which they are available at [8.8]). Don't be surprised if Lancashire argue successfully that he should get a few more county games under his belt before returning to the international fold.

But when he does return, it will surely have to be at number six. If he played at seven, it would be as one of four specialist bowlers and that would surely place too much pressure on his bowling. It is true that his batting since 2005 has not warranted his batting so high in the order. But he himself has said that his ongoing ankle problems were actually restricting his batting more than his bowling. A big score for Lancashire in the next couple of weeks would be enough to justify his selection at six.

And every one of England's batsmen, with the possible exception of Michael Vaughan, realise their place is under threat if they have a bad series. That should be all the extra incentive they need to raise their game against New Zealand. The Black Caps were a poor side before Fleming retired and having their best five players engaged in the IPL over the last three weeks can't have helped their preparation. But they shouldn't be totally written off. Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum can have their destructive phases and Tim Southee and Jacob Oram should thrive in English bowling conditions. If you think they can pull off an unlikely victory in the First Test at Lords, you can back them at [7.0] with the draw at [3.05] and England on [1.82]

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