Andrew Flintoff has another injury, and this time it happened on the IPL’s watch. England’s talisman is on the operating theatre table again and will be out until early June at best. While the press people are putting out the positive spin yet again, was it really wise for the ECB to let its two biggest prize assets rumble about in South Africa in advance of this massive summer of cricket? Or, is it just possible, that they’ve got to give both of these enough rope because both, in their own way, feel aggrieved at how they’ve been treated by authority?

 

I’m sure the media will draw the linkage most firmly, but it is a little cheap to do so. I’m more concerned at what this means to the test team for the series starting in just under a fortnight’s time. Without Flintoff do we go for six batsmen pure and simple and open a door, perhaps, for Ian Bell? Or has Ravi Bopara done anything wrong to warrant not being given the number six berth after his ton on the featherbed at Kensington Oval. Or do we gamble and hope a 6,7,8 of Prior, Broad and Swann is enough to protect us from what follows behind….

 

I’ve paid hardly any attention to the IPL, it has to be said, and could not care a jot who wins it. However, in chasing the money we have an injured cornerstone of our team and that’s not at all reassuring. Let us hope KP gets back without any complications and the England team can get this season under way in a positive fashion.