Andrew Flintoff is likely to be given more time with Lancashire before an England recall.
Geoff Miller, England's national selector, has given the strongest hint yet that Andrew Flintoff won't be included in the squad for the first Test against South Africa at Lord's on July 10.
Flintoff has made his first-class comeback from a side strain in the current Championship match against Sussex, at Hove, bowling 34 impressive overs without taking a wicket. After failing with the bat in the first innings he guided Lancashire to an eight-wicket victory in the second with 62 not out, his first first-class fifty since May last year. But regardless of that performance, it still appears he will be given more time with Lancashire, who play their next Championship match against Hampshire during the first Test.
"It's plain for everybody to see where he's at: the work he has put in has been absolutely fantastic but there is bat form to consider, he will want some runs, and a few more miles in his legs as well," Miller told the Press Association.
"We have just picked for this first Test match because obviously Fred [Flintoff] is in a situation and there is a chance for us to have another look at that. We are not sure where we are beyond that first Test match."
The likely omission of Flintoff marks a more cautious approach from the selectors, who were ready to bring him back against New Zealand in May before he picked up his side strain against Durham. But with four high-pressure Tests in five weeks, followed by a Twenty20 and five ODIs, it makes sense not to rush Flintoff back into the international arena.
It therefore means an unchanged 12-man squad is due to be named on Thursday at Lord's, paving the way for the same final eleven for the sixth consecutive Test which would be a new record. Ian Bell, with a double century, and Alastair Cook, with 95, have found some timely form in the current round of Championship matches, while Chris Tremlett, the extra player for the final two Tests against New Zealand, has been in consistent form for Hampshire recently.
Michael Vaughan has provided England with an injury scare after feeling a twinge in his knee during the match against Durham. He was seen flexing his knee during his 72 in the second innings and then received ice treatment instead of taking the field. However, Miller said it won't lead to any batting cover being named tomorrow.
"I was with Michael yesterday and I think everything is under control with him," he said. "There was a kind of minor thing but we have got on top of it. Even so, if anything crops up, we don't need to pick players as cover because we know the people that would come in and we know where those people are."
Along with the Test squad, Miller will also name a provisional 30-man party for the Champions Trophy, which is due to be held in Pakistan during September. It will be an opportunity to see who the selectors are keeping an eye on around the county circuit, and a squad of 30 often throws up the odd interesting name.
Graham Napier's 152 off 58 balls in the Twenty20 got tongues wagging, but he hasn't produced consistent form for Essex. The likes of Sajid Mahmood, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid and Graham Onions will be in the shake-up, while Simon Jones' form could earn him his first squad call-up since the India tour in 2006.
Test squad (probable) Michael Vaughan (capt), Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose (wk), Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Chris Tremlett
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