Frindall thinks Flintoff can be a key bowler for England

BBC Test Match Special scorer Bill Frindall has said England's bowling attack is far less potent without the injured all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

Flintoff, 30, is nursing a side strain but remains hopeful of playing for England later in the summer after overcoming a fourth ankle operation.

"His batting is irrelevant - he's got to be treated as a main strike bowler," Frindall told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He'd make a big difference to this side - that's what they're lacking."

He continued: "His batting's faded away - I think he's got to forget defending and go out and hit the ball as that's when he's at his most effective.

"As far as the injury's concerned, the fourth operation seems to have done the trick but when you've been out for a long time and you're probably trying to shield the ankle you put extra pressure on other parts of the body."

He'd make a big difference to this side - that's what they're lacking Bill Frindall

"It would have been very risky to have brought him back for Lord's. He'd bowled fewer than 100 overs and specialists said they wanted him to bowl 200 overs to prove his fitness.

"I just hope he can get back, but doesn't rush back," added the veteran statistician.