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Ricky Ponting has predicted England's selectors will have a "big call" to make over whether to risk Andrew Flintoff in the First Ashes Test.
The England all-rounder has been ruled out of the World Twenty20 tournament, which starts next Friday, and faces a fitness battle ahead of July's Ashes series following knee surgery.
Flintoff was a key figure in England's last series victory over Australia in 2005 but was dogged by injury problems when Australia regained the urn 18 months later.
Speaking for the first time since his team arrived in England, Australian captain Ponting said: "I think England may have a big decision to make about Andrew Flintoff's fitness come the First Test. If he's not 100 per cent fit then it will be a big call for them.
"I think the big difference between Flintoff in 2005 in England and in Australia 18 months later had a lot to do with his fitness."
Ponting also believes this year's contest will be far closer than the whitewash inflicted on England by Australia in 2006, but is confident of success following their series win in South Africa earlier this year.
He said: "It will probably be a lot tighter this time. There are a lot of new faces so no-one knows what the teams are going to have to offer.
"We are really looking forward to the next few months. Whether the series is like 2005 or Australia last time, I am sure cricket fans around the world will enjoy it. We haven't played Test cricket for a couple of months but I was very pleased with winning in South Africa. I am very confident that we can produce a level of cricket over here to retain the Ashes."
