Andrew Flintoff will return for Oval

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been passed fit for next week's Ashes decider between England and Australia at the Oval by a committee made up of his surgeon and the national team's heirarchy.

Flintoff was left out of the England team for the Test at Headingly that ended for England in abject defeat on Sunday, with the home side beaten by an innings and 80 runs, because of concerns about the state of his injured knee.

In the last Ashes Test at the Oval Flintoff helped shepherd England to a series victory by taking five wickest in the Australian first innings during a heroic spell of fast bowling that has entered Ashes history.

England received further good news when their medical team confirmed that James Anderson had no long-lasting damage from a hamstring tear sustained while bowling at Headingley.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
David Hopps, the Guardian: "Flintoff had been desperate to play at Headingley, only for England's captain, Andrew Strauss, and the coach. Andy Flower, to conclude that there was no certainty that he was sufficiently fit. The logic of that decision was partially forgotten in the humiliation that followed, but the ECB remains adamant that it had no choice. If Flintoff does inspire an England victory at The Oval they will claim vindication."

Richard Hobson, the Times: "England desperately wanted a decision sooner rather than later to avoid a repeat of one of the distractions in the build-up to the calamitous match at Headingley Carnegie, when Australia levelled the series. Although the swelling to his right knee was said to have 'significantly eased', Flintoff still expects to need surgery when the series is over. But, barring a setback, he will enjoy the finale envisaged last month when he announced his plans to retire from Test cricket."

Nick Hoult, Daily Telegraph: "The fact the swelling has eased through rest will leave Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower, the England captain and coach, feeling their decision to omit Flintoff from of the side has been vindicated. Privately they were incensed by suggestions they had ignored Flintoff's word and any implication they had made him feel unwelcome around the team. England again insisted yesterday that Flintoff must be able to fulfil his duties as an allrounder, in other words be capable of bowling three spells in a day, if he is to return to the side."

Mike Dickson, Daily Mail: "Seventeen days will have passed since the completion of Flintoff’s last appearance in the drawn third Test at Edgbaston and that should prove enough to restore him to somewhere close to full health. His knee was not deemed strong enough to withstand the rigours of Headingley - which started four days after Edgbaston - even though the player himself thought he was worth the risk. Mention of the management decision in the ECB statement betrays irritation within the England set-up at suggestions from Flintoff’s camp that he could have played at Headingley." ·