Flintoff Concerned About Slow Recovery

Flintoff Concerned About Slow Recovery

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has admitted his recovery from a double hernia operation is taking longer than he expected.

Flintoff is due to fly to Australia this week as England prepare for the Ashes showdown with Australia.

He hopes to be fit for the first Test on November 7, but is not yet able to run.

Flintoff, 24, told The Sun: "There's no question that my recovery is taking longer than I had expected. I was hoping to be able to bowl flat out as soon as the team arrived in Australia.

"As it is, the operation was more than six weeks ago and I'm not yet able to run. The pounding of running would be too much at this stage.

"I can row, cycle and swim, as well as do weights, and I've been working very hard on those things in the gym."

The Lancashire player is conscious of the dangers of pushing too hard in his bid to return in time for the Ashes.

He said: "As a lad, I used to dream about playing in an Ashes series and the World Cup. We have both of them in the space of a few months - it is a massive winter.

"If I rush back, it could put me out for the whole Ashes series or even the World Cup.

"So I don't intend taking any risks. If necessary, I will aim to be fit for the second Test in Adelaide on November 21."

Flintoff played most of last season in growing discomfort from his hernia.