Strauss realistic over Flintoff

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

England all-rounder Flintoff's lingering knee injury means he is not certain to be fit for the penultimate match of the Ashes series at Headingley, which starts on Friday.

"It is the fourth Test of an Ashes series, we are close to the finishing line and although we are all desperate for him to play we need to be realistic enough to realise if he's not fit he shouldn't play," said Strauss.

"If he is fit then we are desperate for him to play. Judging whether he is fit or not comes down to a multitude of factors.

"It comes down to the medical team, obviously the player himself has a view on whether he feels fit enough to get through the game, and also a little bit from what myself and the coach see, have seen and what we expect to see during the course of the game.

"Of course Fred's view on it is an important one but it is not the only view we will listen to.

"The medical staff know his injury well, they know how it's likely to develop and their view on it is going to be very important.

"A lot of it will come down to a chat between myself and the medical staff and then a chat between myself and him.

"I am still optimistic at this stage he is going to be okay."