Ashes: Strauss says he's realistic about Flintoff's chances of playing

Yorkshire (UK), Aug.6 (ANI): England captain Andrew Strauss says that he is realistic about all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's chances of playing in the fourth Ashes Test starting at the Headingly cricket ground here from tomorrow.

"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," The Independent quoted Strauss, as saying.

"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," Strauss added.

"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," Strauss said.

England head into tomorrow's match in the knowledge another win would secure the Ashes once again, following the historic summer of 2005. Avoiding defeat from here on in would also wrest back the urn but Strauss is urging positivity. (ANI)