Flintoff starts as injuries hit England plans

(CNN) -- England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will start his first Test in 18 months against South Africa at Headingley on Friday, but the hosts have been hit by injury worries to two key strike bowlers.

Selectors will not name their starting lineup until the morning of the second match of the series in the northern city of Leeds due to doubts over Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson.

Both have back worries, so Chris Tremlett is recalled into the squad as cover for Sidebottom while Nottinghamshire's Darren Pattinson has been drafted in as a standby for Anderson.

"Jimmy at this stage is expected to play and it really is precautionary," an England spokesman told the UK Press Association. "It is on the very off-chance that Jimmy and Ryan wake up tomorrow and have deteriorated."

However, captain Michael Vaughan confirmed on Thursday that Flintoff would definitely start against the Proteas, having proved his fitness after ankle surgery and a side strain.

"I will say that 'Freddie' Flintoff will play," Vaughan said before news broke about Anderson's stiff back.

"He will bat at number seven, and then the decision will be made whether we go for four bowlers or five. Whichever decision we make, Freddie will definitely bat at seven.

"We are waiting on Ryan Sidebottom's injury -- and we are not going to know until the morning. Chris Tremlett will come in as cover."

Tremlett was omitted from the starting XI for the opening Test at Lord's, which ended in a draw despite the South Africans having to follow on in reply to England's daunting 593-8 declared.

The Australia-raised Pattinson, who is 30 in two weeks' time, was a surprise inclusion in England's 30-man ICC Champions Trophy squad and was called up on Thursday ahead of former international regulars Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard.

Meanwhile, South Africa captain Graeme Smith welcomed the return of 2005 Ashes hero Flintoff.

"He's a world-class player. He's a great guy and I think he's fantastic for the game," he said. "It's going to be another challenge for us in this Test match."

Smith, who made a second-innings century to help save his side at Lord's, is looking for a big improvement at Headingley.

"To bat for two-and-a-bit days is never easy and it's not done often. We can take a lot of heart out of that," the opener said. "We only played at 50 or 60 per cent of our potential so at least we know we can improve a hell of a lot and that's been our focus this week.

"There was a little bit of nerves and a little bit of tension going in to the Test. But to get runs under my belt in that situation feels good,"

All About England and Wales Cricket Board Ltd. • Cricket • Sports