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Cricket

Moores urges caution over Flintoff in latest comeback

27/03/2008

Head coach Peter Moores has said England are in no rush to play Andrew Flintoff to be sure he is fully fit after his latest comeback from ankle surgery.

The 30-year-old all-rounder has returned to action for county side Lancashire on their pre-season tour of Dubai in recent weeks, prompting increasing speculation he will have a part to play during the international season this summer.

However, Moores is keen to dispel suggestions Flintoff may be back in contention in the near future - saying his overall fitness would be closely monitored before he would be considered for selection.

"We're deliberately not putting a date on it," Moores explained.

"He's got to be fit and feeling good about himself first.

"Andrew's progress is very promising. He's bowling and the reports back are good. The key for him is not to push it until he feels very happy in himself and the medical staff are very happy at where he's at."

The head coach continued: "When he's in the right sort of form then we will make the decision of how and where he will fit into that England team.

"It's nice he's progressing so well because as a cricketer he's one of those players that can make a real difference."

The current England team are on their way home from New Zealand, where they clinched a first series victory on foreign soil since the 2004/05 tour of South Africa.

A 121-run victory in the third Test Napier ensured Michael Vaughan's men bounced back from defeat in the opening match to record a 2-1 series win.