Will Andrew Flintoff fight the fitness Test before Ashes 2009 4th Test?

Will Andrew Flintoff fight the fitness Test before Ashes 2009 4th Test? Thats the question on every Aussie and England fans and supporters..

It appears that England could risk picking their superstar all-rounder Andrew Flintoff for the fourth Test which starts in Leeds on Friday. The home side is already 1-0 up in the series and will like to stay the same if not add further and would not want to give their opponents an inch to come back and level the Ashes 2009.

Flintoff forms an integral part of this side and led England to glory with the ball in their 115-run second Test win at Lord’s and then top-scored with the bat in the drawn third Test. England will be hoping that their best bet who continues to struggle with his right knee injury is fit to fire. The all-rounder has so far required several pain-killing injections during this series. 

The hosts are clear that Freddie won’t play unless he is “fully fit”. It would be a big decision for the likes of the England selectors, England captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower to leave Flintoff out.
“We’re expecting him to play because that’s what he has done over the last three Tests. I’m definitely preparing for him to be fit and playing.  He’s a tough guy. And for him to be able to do what he has  done has been awesome,”
said Australia’s Shane Watson.

If Freddie gets ruled out then uncapped Jonathan Trott is in a 14-man squad as are left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom, and fast bowler Stephen Harmison will fight for his place. “If Fred (Flintoff) can’t play, Trott is an option to bat at No 6 then we balance the bowling attack thereafter,” said England coach Andy Flower.
Australia on the other hand have their own woes as their bowlers have not managed to pick 20 wickets in the series in any of the Tests although whether they will recall experienced fast bowler Brett Lee, who has not played yet in this series. In-form batsman Michael Clarke has an abdominal problem and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin hopes to be back  despite missing the third Test with a broken finger.

Ricky Ponting is desperate not to become the first Australia captain in more than a century to be a losing skipper on two tours of England. Ponting will have his task cut out when the two teams clash against each other on Friday.

I will bet my money on Australians to come all guns blazing as they have to win this match to stay in the hunt for taking  the Ashes back home. Will Ponting and his men manage the inevitable? Read this space for more…..