Australia to target Flintoff in Ashes

CANBERRA, Nov 9 (Reuters) Australia are plotting their campaign to regain the Ashes by attacking their opponents' best player -- England skipper Andrew Flintoff.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said his team were planning a fullscale assault on the English all-rounder in the hope that if they get on top of him, the rest of the team will struggle.

''I think their team really do run off him a little bit,'' Ponting told reporters today.

''If we can restrict him and put him under pressure right through the series, then hopefully a few of their other players might start feeling the pressure as well.

''If we can start taking more than one player down it gives us a great chance of winning.'' It is no surprise the Australians would want to target Flintoff after he played a decisive role in England's surprise win in the last Ashes series, capturing 24 wickets and smashing 402 runs.

He was named as joint winner of the ICC's player of the year for 2005 but has been sidelined for part of this year after undergoing ankle surgery, and the Australians are hoping to exploit his lack of match practice.

''It is important that we do that with him, more so for his playing abilities than his leadership,'' Ponting said.

''We all saw last time around that he can be dynamic with the bat and the ball.'' REUTERS SAM BS1501