Flintoff - Ashes the pinnacle

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is "desperate" to play a full part in this summer's Ashes series.

England all-rounder confident of being fit to take on Australia

England's Andrew Flintoff regards the Ashes as the most important series in cricket and once again declared he will be fit for the first Test against Australia in Cardiff on July 8. The Lancashire all-rounder underwent knee surgery after picking up the latest in a long line of injuries while playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. However, he is on the brink of a return to first-class cricket for Lancashire and is confident he will be ready to take on Australia in the Welsh capital. "For English cricket the Ashes is the biggest thing for any of us," he said. "Having played in two I'm desperate to play for a third. "Come Cardiff I will be available to play, I've just got to get in the team now." Flintoff will travel with Lancashire for their LV County Championship match in Durham, which begins on Thursday. "He is coming to Durham whatever. It's part of his whole rehab, to be integrated into the team here and back into cricket," said Lancashire coach Peter Moores.