CRICKET:No pain for Andrew Flintoff will mean gain for England as they head off for their winter commitments. All-rounder Flintoff (29) provided another injury scare when he left the field in Saturday's NatWest Series-clinching victory over India at Lord's after bowling a five-over spell.
His left ankle, operated on three times since early 2005, felt funny but he returned to bowl at the death after having the joint re-strapped by physio Kirk Russell. Flintoff highlighted his worth by sending back India captain Rahul Dravid and star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, the second via a disputed caught behind decision, to set England on the way to a seven-wicket win.
He finished with figures of three for 45 and will continue to turn out for his country as long as he does not experience discomfort - on the advice of the surgeon who examined him this week.
Coach Peter Moores emphasised the difference made to the England one-day team by Flintoff, who will perhaps have to get used to the ankle never being 100 per cent right. "He has come through with not so much pain but a bit of instability still in the ankle," said Moores. "We were a bit worried so we've had it checked out by the doctors.
"It hasn't swollen up which is a very good sign, it just felt a bit strange when he was bowling. We have to make sure we are not doing damage to Fred's ankle.
"While he is in that situation we can keep managing it, work with it and make sure it feels right to play with, which for Fred is quite important."
England arrive in South Africa for the World Twenty20 today and Flintoff will continue to work on straightening his front foot in delivery stride in a bid to take some pressure off the ankle. The difference in foot position was evident as England completed a 4-3 series success, their first in one-day cricket on home soil since 2004.
"The fact that he is not doing damage to it is really quite promising," Moores said.
"He bowled well, with good speed and the position of his ankle was pretty good as well, as it wasn't turning quite so much." Having missed the entire international summer prior to the one-day summer finale - and then three of those matches - Flintoff will no doubt be torn between relief to be back and frustration at nursing himself through.
"Realistically he is going to have work with what he's got," added Moores. "Although it is frustrating in some ways that he didn't feel absolutely perfect he got through the game and played a big part in bowling the Indians out.
