England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff insists the selectors' choices for the second Test against South Africa did not affect the team.

After the ten-wicket defeat at Headingley, captain Michael Vaughan claimed the selection was "confused".

Given that Vaughan has repeatedly said England are a stronger team with Flintoff and insisted he should return to the team as soon as he recovered from injury, the comments were viewed as an attack on the selection of Darren Pattinson to replace the Ryan Sidebottom, who had a back injury.

Flintoff confirmed the players did not know Pattinson had been selected before the first morning of the match.

But he defended the selectors.

Flintoff said: "I don't think that should affect anyone's individual performance."

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