England wait on Flintoff fitness

Second Ashes Test, Lord's: England v Australia
Date: 16-20 July
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave, Red Button and BBC Sport website, plus live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles. Live on Sky Sports

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Flower hopeful on Flintoff fitness

England will decide on Wednesday whether all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is fit to play in the second Ashes Test, which starts at Lord's on Thursday.

The 31-year-old had a scan and cortisone injection to his right knee following the drawn first Test having felt discomfort while fielding.

England coach Andy Flower told BBC Sport: "He will bowl on Wednesday and we will make a decision after that.

"He will know whether he can make a proper contribution to the Test."

Flintoff experienced the pain in his knee after playing in the first Test in Cardiff, prompting England to name Steve Harmison in a 14-man squad for the match at Lord's as cover for the Lancastrian.

606: DEBATE How important is Flintoff to England's chances?

The scan was to the same knee Flintoff underwent an operation on last month and England will be keen for him to prove his fitness ahead of the game.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan expects the bowling attack to change regardless of whether Flintoff is fit to play.

"Steve Harmison has been picked as a like-for-like replacement for Flintoff if he is not fit and Graham Onions will play for one of the spinners," Vaughan told BBC Sport.

"Monty Panesar has the best record but Graeme Swann has been great and I expect the selectors to stick with him but I wouldn't rule out Monty at Lord's."

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England squad: AJ Strauss (capt), AN Cook (Essex), RS Bopara (Essex), KP Pietersen (Hampshire), PD Collingwood (Durham), MJ Prior (Sussex, wkt), A Flintoff (Lancashire), SCJ Broad (Nottinghamshire), GP Swann (Nottinghamshire), JM Anderson (Lancashire), MS Panesar (Northamptonshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), G Onions (Durham), SJ Harmison (Durham)