BIRMINGHAM, England, (Reuters) – England go into the third test at Edgbaston without their leading batsman but confident their talisman will be fit to face an Australian side desperate to level the series.
Andrew Flintoff’s hostile fast bowling inspired England to a thrilling 115-run victory at Lord’s but the loss of Kevin Pietersen through injury has dented the hosts’ hopes of winning back the Ashes.
Flintoff, retiring from test cricket after the series, has been resting the creaking body he hopes will carry him through three more matches and captain Andrew Strauss knows he must handle his leading bowler carefully.
“As a captain I will be juggling the bowling attack, depending on the match situation,” Strauss told reporters.
