Moores hopeful of Flintoff's return

London:

Star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is likely to be fit for the seventh and deciding one-day cricket match against India which may boost the hosts chances of winning at the Lord's on Saturday, said England coach Peter Moores.

The 29-year-old Flintoff missed the last two games that England lost due to an injured left-ankle and his absence blunted the edge of England's bowling attack as India plundered over 300 runs at Headingley and Oval and bounced back in style to level the series 3-3.

Flintoff took a full part in England's training session today and Moores is hopeful he will pass a late fitness on the morning of the match.

Moores also believes Flintoff's comeback will serve as a huge morale booster for England as they look to stop India in their strides.

"He's had a bat and a bowl and come through OK, and the physio seems quite confident that as he's come through so well he's got a pretty good chance of playing," Moores told reporters on the match eve.

"We've got to wait to make sure there's no reaction so it's a case of wait and see on that, but we're hopeful."

Winning ways

The England coach reckons Flintoff's return could hold the team get back to the winning ways.

"It would be nice to win a one-day series. I think we'd get a great momentum from it," he said.

"But the main thing for me is how the players have committed to the series and how much they've enjoyed it. They've got stuck in and had a go against a good Indian team," Moores said.

"It would be nice if we could snatch the series win at Lord's."

Moores also believed that Flintoff's future could be secure if the coaching and medical staff handled his injuries properly.

"We know he's got some instability in his ankle and it needs to be managed.

"No-one knows how that's going to develop over the next few weeks and years but we continue to work with him to give him the best chance of playing as much competitive cricket as possible."