Flintoff passed fit to play

Andrew Flintoff bowls in the nets at the Wanderers on Wednesday morning © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff has been declared fit to bowl in the fourth Test match against South Africa which starts at Johannesburg tomorrow.

Flintoff tore a muscle in his left side during England's defeat at Cape Town last week, and while initial fears that he would be ruled out of the tour proved unfounded, there were serious concerns that he wouldn't be able to bowl.

But after bowling 20 deliveries at three-quarter-pace in the nets this morning, he was passed fit. "He's had a bowl out in the middle and came out fine so he goes in as he did in the first three Tests - fully fit to play as an allrounder," said Michael Vaughan. "In Cape Town I thought he was our best bowler, and in Durban probably our second-best. It is good to have him fit to bowl, and we will just have to judge who is bowling well on any given day and on the given surface to see how much we use him. But as far as we're concerned he is available to play any role required."

The news is a boost to England, but given that less than a week ago the injury was considered quite serious, there have to be concerns that Flintoff could break down during the game.