The news from the England 2009 Ashes camp is that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is suffering from problems with his right knee and may be doubtful for the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord’s. This seems to be a reoccurrence of his old injuries. However Geoff Miller, the chairmen of selectors has stated that at this stage it is more of a precautionary measure. But as a consequence, Durham faster bowler Steve Harmison has been added to the squad and would be a direct replacement for Flintoff.

It is no surprise that Harmison has been included as he has come into a rich vein of form - indeed he took six wickets for the England Lions against Australia. Coupled with the fact that England’s selected five frontline bowlers hardly distinguished themselves in first 2009 Ashes test at Cardiff, there is an argument that he should be selected anyway.

England were only ever going to select both spinners Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar for the first test as Sophia Gardens was perceived to be more likely to take spin than Lord’s which traditionally is more suited  to seam bowlers. Harmison would then be up against his own county team mate  Graham Onions,  for one of the places. In addition, Stuart Broad is also suffering from a calf strain and is being watched carefully. Broad might consider his place in the team under pressure as his bowling in the first test was also nothing to write home about, having figures of only 1 – 129. Despite his heroics at the crease for the last wicket stand with Anderson on Sunday, it is likely that Graham Swann will be retained as the only spin specialist with Monty Panesar being the one to lose out.

England squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann