 Ponting is wary of the danger posed by a fit Andrew Flintoff |
Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes a fit Andrew Flintoff will be the biggest obstacle to keeping hold of the Ashes this summer. Flintoff played a starring role as England beat Australia in 2005 but injury has prevented the all-rounder from hitting those heights since. Ponting said: "He'll be important for them if he is 100%. "I'll be keeping a close eye on him through the Twenty20s, just to see how fit and good he is." The Lancashire man is currently in rehabilitation from keyhole surgery to his right knee - an injury he sustained playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He has been named in the England squad for the World Twenty20 but his participation remains in doubt. Australia gained revenge for their 2005 defeat by whitewashing their great rivals on home soil in 2006-07 but Ponting freely admits a series victory in England is what he really craves.  | 606: DEBATE |
"That's certainly one thing that will be missing off my resume as captain of this team," he said. "Obviously 2005 didn't go the way we would have liked and there was a lot made of the tour. "But at the end of the day I was no more disappointed than the next guy. I was captain of the side but we all hurt exactly the same way and that's one thing I'll certainly be getting across to the guys this time." The first Ashes Test will start in Cardiff on 8 July.
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