Lewis called-up to cover Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff is key to England's success
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Saturday, 25, Aug 2007 08:21
Gloucestershire seamer Jon Lewis has been called up to the England squad as cover for Andrew Flintoff for the ongoing seven match one-day series against India.
Flintoff suffered a knee injury in England’s defeat against India at Bristol yesterday. The big all-rounder smashed into advertising boards as he tried to retrieve a ball going to the boundary.
The 29-year-old has just returned from a third ankle operation and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed that Flintoff went for a scan today and it revealed mild inflammation on his right knee.
Flintoff received a cortisone injection after the results of the scan came through and will be monitored by doctors ahead of the third one-dayer at Edgbaston on Monday.
It would be a massive blow to England hopes of winning the series against India, which currently stands at 1-1, if Flintoff were to be ruled out for any games. The Lancashire star has been in excellent form since his return to international cricket and claimed career best bowling figures of 5-56 in yesterday’s game.
England have decided not to call-up a genuine all-rounder as cover for Flintoff, and Lewis has been picked with the knowledge that opening bowler Ryan Sidebottom is struggling with a side strain and therefore Lewis can provide cover for both players.
Lewis was part of England’s World Cup squad and played in the warm-up game against Bermuda. But the 32-year-old had to come home early from the Caribbean for personal reasons.