Flintoff says he'll play through pain at Edgbaston

Andrew Flintoff has vowed to play through pain in his attempt to be fit for next week's third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Flintoff's role has assumed added significance after Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the summer and the allrounder said he will do whatever it takes to play.

"There are no guarantees for anybody. But I have three Test matches left, and I'd do anything to get through, maybe put myself through things I wouldn't do if I was looking more long term," Flintoff told the Independent. "I will do whatever it takes to get out on the field. If I don't it has to be something extremely serious. The encouraging thing was that I bowled regularly over 90mph at Lord's."

With a ten-day break before the teams reconvene for the third Test, Flintoff said he would do as little as possible to ensure he was fully rested and ready for the contest. "The knee was sore on Tuesday and it's still sore but I'll rest up in front of the telly for the next few days and then get ready for Edgbaston."

Pietersen's departure is a massive blow to England's morale and momentum after a week in which they finally ended a 75-year jinx in beating Australia at Lord's, and England need Flintoff's skills as a batsman as much as his fast bowling in a bid to win the Ashes.

Flintoff entered the second Test amid rumours that his dodgy right knee might force him to bow out immediately after game, but instead turned in a Man-of-the-Match performance with second-innings figures of 5 for 92, including ten high-octane overs straight off the reel on the decisive final morning.