Flintoff the man to give Vaughan a cutting edge

Yesterday's events at Lord's must have convinced any doubters that, despite winning four of the last five matches against New Zealand, Michael Vaughan's attack lacks a cutting edge; a pace bowler capable of doing damage on a flat pitch.

The situation cried out for someone to rough up South African openers Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie with a really nasty five-over spell. And that is what Flintoff can do so well. He simply has to come back this week, and not least because England will have spent three days in the field and need fresh legs.

But the big debate for the England selectors is whether 'Fred' returns as one of four bowlers, batting at No7, or as part of a five-man attack, restored to his old position at No6.

There is no doubt in my mind they generally want five bowlers and a balanced side. Yet, if you have Flintoff at No6, with Tim Ambrose now struggling for runs at No7, there will be worries about Vaughan's team getting rolled over for a low score, especially if they find themselves batting in difficult conditions in Leeds.

And because Headingley is somewhere that generally helps bowlers of one sort or another - including spinners these days - they may be able to get away with a fourman attack for one more match. Provided one of those four is Flintoff.

I spoke to Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson over the weekend and he feels Flintoff is bowling better than ever; fast, hostile, accurate and totally over the side strain - mentally and physically - which prevented England from bringing him back for the New Zealand series.

Not only that, Lancashire and Fred's medical team are convinced the ankle problem, which has blighted the past few years of his career, is also firmly in the past.

That fourth operation last October really does appear to have done the trick. All the scans and examinations he's had lead them to believe that the injury is in the past; vital if he is going to shoulder a bowler's full workload.

So, because Headingley comes next and Flintoff can be part of a four-man attack there, I think Paul Collingwood is likely to get another chance at No6. Who does miss out, then?

There's Stuart Broad; young, improving all the time and a more than useful batsman, although that may not be quite so important if Flintoff is at No7.

Anderson? He swings the ball, an especially important asset at Headingley, and is a brilliant fielder.

Sidebottom, then? Another swinger, who has had a terrific year for England.

At the moment I would lean towards leaving out Broad, but if that happens it should not be long before he is back.

Come the Third and Fourth Tests, at Edgbaston and The Oval, England will want five bowlers in their side. And that means not only Collingwood but also Ambrose could be on borrowed time.

As for South Africa, they looked very ordinary for the first three days at Lord's. Sooner or later, perhaps, touring teams will decide that having just a couple of weather-hit warm-up games is no preparation for a Test series.