Laxman believes Flintoff will be a Ashes hero again

VVS Laxman believes injured Lancashire teammate Flintoff will be ready to take on the Aussies

Laxman believes Flintoff will be a Ashes hero again

VVS Laxman believes injured Lancashire teammate Flintoff will be ready to take on the Aussies

India's batting legend VVS Laxman, now playing in English county cricket, says his Lancashire teammate Andrew Flintoff, although still struggling with his batting form, looks fully recovered from knee surgery and will play a key role in the forthcoming Ashes series.

Flintoff flopped with the bat and failed to take a wicket in yesterday's match against Hampshire, but his Lancashire coach Peter Moores insisted that the talismanic cricketer remains on course to resume his crucial role in England's quest to regain the Ashes urn in the series starting in Cardiff on July 7.

Flintoff underwent keyhole surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee in April and could play a pivotal role for England in the Ashes, upon which all attention is now focussed here after the host country's exit from the T20 World Cup.

Laxman said: "It is six weeks since the surgery and he is fit, so obviously it is a very minor injury and I am sure it would not affect him.

"I've seen him bowl at the nets today and also batted with him in the practice match and he looks fine and there is no discomfort from his knee.

"Freddie brings aggression and a lot of variation to the bowling attack.

"I believe he (Flintoff) is one of the most difficult bowlers I have faced in international cricket because he doesn't allow the batsman to settle down and he is also one of the quickest.

"But from the England team's perspective, he is an all-round personality and also keeps them in the field.

"His presence on the field really lifts them and that is what we have noticed when we have played against them. He is very, very important for the team.

"You want people like him in the team fighters. Freddie is that kind of bloke who is positive by nature and always there at the opposition.

"You have to be aggressive against Australia because if you give them any room they will dominate."

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