Flintoff 'could make Aussie side'

Australia lack an all-rounder like Flintoff, says Ponting

Ricky Ponting says Andrew Flintoff is the only England player who could force his way into the Australia side.

All-rounder Flintoff has yet to face Australia in Tests but has earned the respect of their skipper.

"The one thing we haven't got is a world-class all-rounder - a Flintoff sort of player.

"Most sides around the world would be looking for someone who can perform as well as Flintoff has with bat and ball," Ponting told BBC Five Live.

"We haven't had one of those for a long time and we see Adam Gilchrist as being the all-rounder in our side at the moment."

Speaking on the Sportsweek programme, Ponting argued his side had "most bases covered" in the top five batsmen and four strike bowlers.

With those 10 one-day games under our belt we should be in pretty good shape by the time the Test matches come around Ricky Ponting

But he ignored the claims of Michael Vaughan, who scored three centuries during the last Ashes series, in Australia in 2002/03.

And he preferred paceman Michael Kasprowicz to Steve Harmison, who was rated the world's best bowler after his return of 7-12 against West Indies in Jamaica a year ago.

Vaughan retorted by saying he was pleased one England player was considered good enough by Australia.

Flintoff made his Test debut in 1998 but was passed over for the Ashes tour that winter and struggled with injuries during the last two series.

He has only faced them three times in one-day internationals, scoring 77 runs and taking two wickets.

That appearance tally could treble during the forthcoming NatWest Series, before the Tests get underway at Lord's on 21 July.

Flintoff is the main threat as he can lift himself, the team and the crowd with explosive match-winning contributions From TB Have your say on TMS

"We have to do our homework and get ourselves in the best possible shape for the first one-day game," said Ponting.

"With those 10 one-day games under our belt we should be in pretty good shape by the time the Test matches come around."

Ponting paid tribute to England's improvement since the sides last met - Vaughan's men have won 14 of their last 18 Tests going back just over a year.

The Aussie skipper added: "We've all been very impressed with what they've achieved.

"They've certainly come a long way to be the number two ranked Test team in the world."