[retired_linton_justin]

Threads just been upped :thup:

[retired_200274]

Freddie's a doubt for 1st test :thdn:.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will have to pass a fitness test on Wednesday if he is to play in the first Test against West Indies at Lord's.

Flintoff reported discomfort from his left ankle following Lancashire's Championship match against Hampshire.

He was due for a thorough workout on Tuesday but could only bat when rain forced the England players indoors.

"He didn't bowl. He will on Wednesday and we will assess his chances of playing then," a team spokesman said.

If he fails to make it, Middlesex batsman Owais Shah could come into the side for the match which starts on Thursday.

Flintoff, who has twice had surgery on the ankle, said: "When I was operated on it was on the back and the inside of the ankle but this pain is more on the outside.

"This discomfort is something I felt during the winter so it is not something completely new."

Flintoff missed the second half of last summer with it and he only just finished his rehabilitation in time to lead England into the Champions Trophy and the Ashes.

England are already without captain Michael Vaughan for the first Test of the four-match series, with opener Andrew Strauss taking over the captaincy instead of Flintoff.

Shah, meanwhile, is preparing as if he is going to play in what would be only the second Test match of his career - and his first for more than a year.

"If you do that and get let down right at the end, then at least you know you've done what you had to," the 28-year-old said.

"My appearances for England have been very limited. I don't know what it was but I definitely didn't get many chances... I was never given any feedback from England about why I wasn't picked.

"You go through ups and downs generally through your career, but you can't stay down for too long, otherwise you just go around moping.

"You have to see the problem, address it and move forward. I was just thinking about getting some runs and keep knocking on the door - because they can't ignore you forever," he added.

England skipper Michael Vaughan insisted the reason Shah had not been given more opportunities was simply down to competition for places.

"You hear it mentioned meany times around the circuit: 'Why isn't he playing?' But you say: 'Ahead of whom' - and they have to agree," said Vaughan.

"He just couldn't get in the team because everyone else was doing pretty well."

[retired_kevh16]

Yes :cool: Going to get tickets to the Sunday of the Old Trafford test. The Lancashire ticket website has a limit of 6 tickets per person however. Does anyone know if its possible to book for a larger group than this? Just trying to organise a big group of us from uni to go up for the weekend, go out and get mashed in manchester on the Saturday, stay over at my house, go to the cricket on the Sunday and enjoy a day in the sun with cricket and beer :thup:

Although what with it being Old Trafford no doubt the fourth day will get about 2 hours play in as the rest is rained off

[Test 187]

West Indies will already be 2-0 up by Old Trafford, and the washout'll mean the win the series :p

[retired_kevh16]

and I thought me wanting to get a 2:1 in my micro paper was wishful thinking.

[Test 187]

Originally posted by theis:
and I thought me wanting to get a 2:1 in my micro paper was wishful thinking.

You can't have one without the other

[retired_linton_justin]

So Jimmeh has been called up as cover for Freddie. Wtf is going to happen if both Freddie & KP dont make it?

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Shah
Colly
Prior
Plunkett
Hoggi
Monty
Harmi
Jimmeh

Worlds.Longest.Tail.Ever. \o/

[retired_kevh16]

Rang up the ticket office, apparently there is no problem buying more than 6 tickets as long as I do it over the phone. Old Trafford here we come :cool:

[retired_linton_justin]

Originally posted by theis:
Rang up the ticket office, apparently there is no problem buying more than 6 tickets as long as I do it over the phone. <STRIKE>Old Trafford</STRIKE> Rain here we come :cool:

:p

[retired_nini59]

so if KP is fit and Freddie isn't we should get this team?

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Shah
Collingwood
Prior
Plunkett
Hoggard
Harmison
Anderson

harsh to drop Panesar, but I think I'd rather go with 4 seamers than 3 seamers and a spinner at Lord's in May.