Flintoff declares himself fit for Ashes series

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who captained England in 2007 when Australia strolled to a 5-0 whitewash, declared him fit for this summer's Ashes series against Australia.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff declared him fit for this summer's Ashes series against Australia.

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Flintoff, who captained England in 2007 when Australia strolled to a 5-0 whitewash, wants to use this week's three-day friendly against Warwickshire at Edgbaston to prove his right knee is free of injury.

He believes he is on target to be at his peak for the first Ashes test at Cardiff, which begins on July 8.

"For the past eight weeks since the knee operation, I've been working hard hopefully that is all behind me now," Flintoff said yesterday.

"I'll just keep maintaining my fitness and looking after my knee as well as my ankle. I've played three weeks for Lancashire, bowled my overs, managed to score a few runs, and I'm pleased where I am at this stage.

"This game with Warwickshire is the final piece of the preparation for the team and also for myself. I've played two championship games and three Twenty20s and so this last game is vitally important, for form and also to bowl some overs and to get some more runs."

Flintoff is keen for an extended spell of action after injuring his knee while playing in the Indian Premier League in April.