Andrew Flintoff's fitness could decide Ashes: Warne

The fitness of England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff could decide the Ashes, according to Australia legend Shane Warne.

Flintoff suffered no immediate ill effects when he returned to first-class action for Lancashire against Durham earlier this month, just over six weeks after surgery on a knee injury picked up playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. The 31-year-old, who was ruled out of the World Twenty20 by the knee problem, is still in a race to return to full fitness in time for this summer's series.

Warne said: "I think Flintoff is one of the keys to the Ashes. It will be crucial to have Flintoff in the England squad. "I still think they will have a chance without him, but with Flintoff in the squad it is much stronger. What he did in 2005 was pretty special."

Flintoff claimed 24 wickets and racked up 402 runs to inspire England to a 2-1 success four years ago.