Thursday, March 26, 2009

Flintoff back in England line-up

Third one-day international, Barbados: West Indies v England
Date: Friday, 27 March Start time: 1330 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on Test Match Special on BBC Radio 4 LW, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, Red Button and online at bbc.co.uk/cricket (UK only). Live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles. Also live on Sky Sports.


Andrew Flintoff
Flintoff has taken 163 wickets and scored 18 fifties in 138 ODIs

Key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff returns to the England team for Friday's third one-day international with West Indies.

The 31-year-old has been out of the reckoning since damaging his hip in the third Test in Antigua in mid-February.

He flew back to England for treatment but is now fit to play in Barbados with the five-match series locked at 1-1.

"There are no obvious candidates to drop but it's a minor problem when you put it into the context of having Fred back," skipper Andrew Strauss said.

"There are a few options for us to consider and we'll be considering them before Friday."

England seamer James Anderson is delighted to welcome his big Lancashire colleague back in the ranks.

"Just having him around the squad has had a big impact," the opening bowler said.

"Freddie has a lot to offer, he has a lot of experience and the opposition do fear him, it's great to see him back."

Anderson and Steve Harmison both impressed in Sunday's match, while Stuart Broad excelled in Friday's opener.

606: DEBATE
matt-h88

Gareth Batty could be the man to miss out - if England decide to go in without a spinner.

The series is currently level after England won the first match by one run on the Duckworth-Lewis method in farcical circumstances when home coach John Dyson misread the situation and called his side in prematurely.

The West Indies, inspired by a masterful Shivnarine Chanderpaul century, then won the second match by 21 runs.

Anderson himself is pleased with his form and is hoping England can go some way to winning the series with victory on Friday.

"It's been quite a close contest throughout, including the Test series," said Anderson.

"From a spectator point of view they probably want it to stay level going into the final fixture.

"I hope we win the next two games to be honest and get it wrapped up."

Anderson, who took three wickets in Sunday's defeat, added: "I'm happy with my cricket, and my bowling and also the direction I'm going in.

"I just want to continue improving and working on my game and put myself in pole position for the Ashes series.

"I've done a lot of talking to our batsman to find out which balls they don't like facing as well as trying to improve my variation of bowling also.

"I've played 100 one-day games and I know I can play at this level. I'm confident of my ability."

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