Flintoff focusses on the task at hand

Andrew Flintoff, England's captain, has insisted that the Champions Trophy is his team's sole focus, as they prepare to fly out to India this afternoon to begin a long winter campaign that culminates in the Ashes and the World Cup.

Flintoff will be leading England for the first time since the Test series against Sri Lanka in June, as he continues to recuperate from an ankle operation that will limit his allround effectiveness in the coming tournament.

"Everything I've done so far, the running back home, has responded well," he told reporters at the Heathrow Marriott Hotel. "In the nets I've probably bowled at 50-60% and it's responded well to that, so we'll start building it up over the next couple of weeks. At this stage we can't set a date or say when I'll be bowling again."

Flintoff's presence alone will boost a one-day side that has missed him woefully at times this season, although their achievement in battling back to a 2-2 draw against Pakistan last month was a timely fillip ahead of the Champions Trophy. "It was a great effort and showed signs of improvement," said Flintoff, "but what we've got to work on is consistency."

England are in a four-man group that includes the hosts, India, as well as the World Champions, Australia, whom England beat in the same competition two years ago, en route to a place in the final. On that occasion they they eventually lost a thrilling match to West Indies by two wickets. Flintoff recalled: "Having played in one before and getting to the final and coming so close, it hurt."

"We're flying out to win the ICC tournament," he added. "There's a lot being made of the Ashes but we've got to address what's in front of us first. Over the next few weeks it's a great opportunity for lads to stake a claim for the World Cup and a chance for us to perform."

That opportunity has arisen largely as a result of the spate of injuries that have decimated England's Ashes-winning squad since last summer, with Michael Vaughan, Simon Jones and Ashley Giles among the most notable absentees. On Thursday, Vaughan hinted that a return for the final stages of the Ashes was not out of the question, and publicly, Flintoff embraced that prospect. "As soon as we've got Michael Vaughan back in the England side the better. He's a class performer and he's led the team well."

Flintoff himself said he was "hungry" for action after his three-month lay-off, and believed that the break from the game would be beneficial, both for his game and that of his other injured team-mates. "Some of us have not played a great deal of cricket this summer which has given us time to get in the gym, get fit and have time away from the game."

"Now I'm hungry to play cricket, I want to get back on the pitch and play. When you're not playing you realise how much you do miss it."