Flintoff must not be rushed

Updated 11.17 Thu Aug 23 2007

Keywords: sport, Steve Harmison, India, England, Andrew Flintoff, cricket

England coach Peter Moores is calling for Andrew Flintoff to be given time to find his stride after recovering from his ankle problem.

The 29-year-old all-rounder made his first appearance of the summer for England in their 104-run victory over India in the opening match of their one-day international series.

Peter Moores is anxious Andrew Flintoff comes through the one-day series against India unscathed ready for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament and the one-day series in Sri Lanka

While he did not get the chance to bat as man-of-the-match Ian Bell (126 not out) and Alastair Cook (102) helped Paul Collingwood's men to a commanding score of 288-2, he claimed the scalp of Mahendra Dhoni (19) as the tourists were all out for 184.

Flintoff is expected to play a full part when England and India meet for the second time in the seven-match series at the County Ground in Bristol.

But Moores is anxious the talismanic Lancastrian comes through this series unscathed ready for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament and the one-day series in Sri Lanka.

He said: "It was Freddie at his best wasn't it? He was bowling up to 92mph, but loving it and it gave a lift for the whole team - you could see how everyone responded to it, which was great. He really put the Indian batsmen under pressure."

Essex opener Cook added: "It's no secret that having Fred in our side makes us a far better side - he's a one-off and any side would love to have him, we're just lucky he's English.

"He gives us a great balance to our side and it is always good to have him in the dressing room. I think he enjoyed it a lot more than the Indian batsmen who had to face those 93mph thunderbolts coming towards them."

Meanwhile, England paceman Steve Harmison could be sent abroad to get some bowling under his belt ahead of the winter Test programme.

The 28-year-old Durham star will miss the rest of the County Championship campaign after a torn muscle in his back ruled him out for between six and eight weeks.

And should he recover at the expected rate, he could be sent to play in either South Africa and Sri Lanka in a bid to build match-fitness.