Fletcher: Freddie unlikely to bowl
Flintoff makes his return on Sunday after a four-month absence
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Friday, 13, Oct 2006 10:10
England coach Duncan Fletcher has admitted talisman Andrew Flintoff is unlikely to bowl in the Champions Trophy.
The all-rounder will make his 100th international cap when England clash with hosts India on Sunday in Jaipur.
Flintoff, who has taken 110 ODI wickets, has not played for England competitively since June when he injured his left ankle.
Fletcher said England would be cautious over their skipper's recovery towards full fitness.
"We're not pushing it. I don't think he will bowl," he told the BBC.
"It's not a hard and fast rule. He might bowl at the back end but if he does, it won't be 10 overs. He might get through four or five overs."
"That's up to the medical staff but as far as I'm concerned Flintoff must be ready to bowl in Brisbane (first Ashes Test) and whatever's required for him to do that we will do."
Flintoff made a half-century in England's warm-up win over a Rajasthan Cricket Association XI on Thursday.
There have been calls for the 28-year-old to open the batting in the tournament with less than six months until the World Cup.
Flintoff was promoted to number three in Thurday's win and could form a partnership with Andrew Strauss.
But Fletcher insisted the batting line-up has yet to be decided.
"We have to look at the balance of the side and how we fit him in on these wickets, because they are totally different to the UK," he said.
"Certain players can play powerplays better than others and you've got to have players who can consolidate and hold the side together if something goes wrong.
"We don't suddenly want two guys who can hit the ball big and long getting out and then you're struggling from there on in."
England will be looking for revenge against India who steamrolled Flintoff's side 5-1 in the one-day series earlier this year.