Top ten - Finding Fred

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Skysports.com looks at the Top 10 English frontrunners to replace retiring all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

The latest of a catalogue of frustrating injuries has prompted Andrew Flintoff to call time on his glittering Test career after the current Ashes series.

Hailed by many as one of the greatest-ever English cricketers, his retirement will trigger a search from the selectors for "the next Freddie".

Skysports.com looks at the top-10 candidates who may have the potential to fill the sizeable void left by the talismanic all-rounder.

Tim Bresnan - Yorkshire

Powerfully-built Bresnan has the attributes to succeed at Test level, and, at 24 time is still on his side. The Yorkshireman was surprisingly handed a recall to the five-day arena against the West Indies at the start of the summer, and he proved his credentials with a three-wicket haul in the second Test.

Stuart Broad - Nottinghamshire

Arguably the most likely to step up as England's genuine all-rounder in all forms of the game. Broad already averages nearly 30 with the bat in Tests and has been one of England's most consistent performers with the ball since establishing himself in all facets of the game.

Steven Croft - Lancashire

The highly-rated Lancashire all-rounder is drawing the plaudits in the north west with his hard-hitting batting and accurate seam bowling. The 24-year-old was named the counties player of the season in 2008, and with Peter Moores as his coach, his future looks a bright one.

Graham Napier - Essex

A one-day specialist granted, however any Englishman who can bowl in the region of 90mph can never be dismissed entirely from a Test place. On the fringes of the England ODI set-up since his Twenty20 exploits with Essex, Napier is surely now worth a chance.

Samit Patel - Nottinghamshire

Out-of-favour with the ECB and national selectors after failing to meet required levels of fitness, Patel still has plenty to do to play his way into contention. His ability, however, is not in question, as proved with impressive displays against South Africa in 2008.

Liam Plunkett - Durham

The forgotten man of English cricket in many respects, however an eye-catching start to the season with Durham has done his claims for an England recall no harm whatsoever. Equally adept with both bat and ball, the 24-year-old still has plenty of cricket ahead of him.

Adil Rashid - Yorkshire

Physique and playing style could not be more contrasting, however Rashid is showing the early promise which suggests he is destined for a long and successful international career. The 21-year-old leg-spin bowler finished with 62 wickets in the 2008 County Championship season and his composed 66 against Australia in the recent England Lions match portrayed his potential with the willow.

Peter Trego - Somerset

Solely making the cut as a one-day option, destructive Somerset all-rounder Trego has long been the scourge of bowling attacks throughout the county circuit. He has also become a pivotal part of his side's bowling unit, and many in the West Country believe he is well overdue a national call-up.

Chris Woakes - Warwickshire

The youngest of the candidates to become a long-term replacement for Freddie, however the Warwickshire pace bowler has certainly earned his right to be considered. Clocked bowling in the mid-to-high 80s, Woakes, 20, has impressed regularly for the England Lions and was named in the 30-man preliminary squad for the ICC World Twenty20. His first-class average of 29.23 also suggests potential with the bat.

Luke Wright - Sussex

Ever-improving Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright has blossomed in the one-day format and was one of England's shining lights in the recent ICC World Twenty20. More renowned for his power batting, the 24-year-old is also developing with the ball and appears a favourite with the national selectors.

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