England hoping Freddy can strike the Proteas out

Andrew "Freddy" Flintoff was recalled to the England Test squad on Monday 14 July having not played since January 2007, the final ashes test match, and having only played in three county championship matches for Lancashire CCC.

Questions and debates have already begun as to whether this decision was correct.

His ankle injuries have been widely sourced and after his last operation. The question is, will it hold? The man himself is in confident mood, and after his last county match he got some hard earned runs and time at the crease.

His bowling throughout was hostile and accurate on a flat track whilst England toiled trying to whittle down South Africa in the final days of the test. 

The question now is should Andy be given a recall to the starting eleven? Former players such as Graham Gooch are calling for him to replace Paul Collingwood, or Ryan Sidebottom should his back problem re-surface.

Is this the right decision though? Test match cricket produces more stressful conditions that, as the case of Marcus Trescothick demonstrated, require cricketers to be both mentally and physically strong. So, will his ankle hold up to 40 or 50 overs of bowling in each innings and after only one good innings with the bat will he succeed at the crease?

In my opinion, for him to be called into the squad at this stage with such little practice, and with his ankle not at full fitness, is another incorrect decision by the ECB. Should Ryan Sidebottom be fit, the most likely situation will result in Paul Collingwood being dropped, which is a drastic measure when you consider he is not only the one day captain, but the best fielder in the team.

In conclusion, if Ryan Sidebottom is fit and the weather report is cloudy with swing being likely, then Michael Vaughan and the England selectors will have to toil with this decision. If there is no cloud cover, or if Siddy's fitness is not up to scratch, then Freddy will be in the Starting eleven.