Flintoff fit for West Indies one-day international
Andrew Flintoff will return for England against West Indies on Friday.
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Tuesday, 24, Mar 2009 11:05
Andrew Flintoff will return for England in the third one-day international series against the West Indies on Friday in Barbados.
The all-rounder could prove a timely boost for England, with the series tied at 1-1 after the West Indies won by 21 runs in Guyana on Sunday.
Flintoff was close to reappearing for his country in that fixture, but revealed that he and the selectors "erred on the side of caution".
A hip injury from England's Test series in the Caribbean has left the Lancashire player on the sidelines during the first two games of the five-match one-day international series.
But Flintoff is eager to return to action after receiving treatment to his right hip and taking part in net practice.
"I've bowled as near to 100 per cent as I probably can do in a net because playing in a match brings a bit more out of you," the 31-year-old said.
"I've been bowling for the last week, bowled ten overs over the previous two days and done my training and work," he added.
Flintoff's return at the Kensington Oval on Friday could see off-spinner Gareth Batty left out of the side.
Bowlers James Anderson and Steve Harmison both impressed for England in the latest one-day fixture and Stuart Broad also helped the visitors to victory in the opening match, which England won via the Duckworth-Lewis rule after a miscalculation by West Indies coach John Dyson.
Should Flintoff remain fit, he would be likely to play alongside international team mate Kevin Peterson in this year's Indian Premier League tournament, which will be held in South Africa from April 18th to May 24th.