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Cricket

England middle order 'pressured by Flintoff factor'

08/07/2008

Mickey Arthur has claimed England's middle order batsman and front-line bowlers will be under extra pressure because of the impending return of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

The South Africa coach believes the Lancastrian could be ready to return to the England Test side in time for the second match of the series at Headingley, which begins on July 18th.

And Arthur claims that, despite England's desire to hold off on selecting Flintoff until he is fully fit, it would be "silly" not to pick him as soon as he is available as he is "a class performer".

"I think the players batting at five and six will be under some pressure going into the series," the coach said.

"The Freddie Flintoff factor lingers over England. He's too good a player not to play. He's going to come back and somebody's going to be unlucky and miss out."

And Arthur believes the competition for places that may emerge when Flintoff does declare himself ready to return could benefit the South Africans.

"Within the whole pressure cooker of Test cricket there might be one or two personal contests going on in the England side, which will create its own pressure and its own dynamic," he continued.

"If we can get into five and six when the ball is pretty new it would be good.

"And there's going to be one bowler bowling with a cloud hanging over him knowing that Flintoff might be fit for the second Test match."