Jon Lewis: Flintoff's fitness is the key to Ashes victory

As far as I can see, Andrew Flintoff's fitness now appears to hold the key to England's chances of regaining the Ashes.

The fourth Test begins at Headingley today and the question on everybody's lips is will Freddie play or won't he?

His condition certainly creates a dilemma for the selectors, the coach and the captain, who must choose between two schools of thought.

On the one hand, it is tempting to patch Flintoff up and send him out there to give one more superhuman effort in the hope that we can win the Test match and, with it, the series. If that were to happen, then his availability or otherwise for the fifth and final Test at The Oval would be rendered immaterial.

Even a half-fit Flintoff represents a fearsome proposition for the opposition and, given that we would have five bowlers with him in the side, he could be used sparingly.

His form with the bat makes resting him more difficult still. Not only is he bowling at 90 miles an hour plus and taking wickets, he is also scoring valuable middle-order runs and effectively serving as two players.

The other school of thought dictates that he sits out Headingley, rests his body and then comes back with all guns blazing for one final hurrah at The Oval later this month.

If there is any doubt over his ability to last the next five days, then he should not play. Although he will be absolutely desperate to be part of the side, Andrew will know in his own mind whether he is in sufficiently good shape and will come to the decision which is best for the team as a whole.

Flintoff's absence will cause problems for the selectors, who will probably feel the need to play an extra batsman and pick Jonathan Trott.

Personally, I would like to see Steve Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom play and Stuart Broad omitted. It's not that I have anything against Broad, who I'm sure will turn out to be a very good player for England in the future.

But he has to decide what kind of bowler he wants to be. Does he want to become a quality line or length merchant or someone who bangs the ball in short, hits the deck hard and makes life uncomfortable for batsmen?

So far in this series he has done neither and, on the evidence of what I have seen, he is the least penetrative of our bowlers.

Harmison and Sidebottom are both in excellent form for their counties and conditions at Headingley are very likely to suit them. This is the Ashes and it is imperative we go with the team best able to win. I'm not sure this is the kind of environment a young and relatively inexperienced cricketer like Broad should be exposed to. An Ashes series calls for tried and trusted cricketers with plenty of experience.

Whichever players take the field, it is impossible to escape the fact that Flintoff is a central figure. This guy is the face of English cricket and, when he finally retires at the end of the series, he will be impossible to replace in the short term.

Players like him don't come around very often. What makes him so special is his ability to change games dramatically in a short space of time. Flintoff is an out-and-out match-winner and there aren't many of those in the game.

His figures may not be the best, but his contribution is immense because of the influence he has on the outcome.

I know he is not everyone's cup of tea and that some of his off-field escapades have caused people to doubt him, but I have the greatest respect for the guy.

I was fortunate enough to play for England when Flintoff was captain and he is a truly inspirational character, the kind of bloke who is prepared to run through brick walls for his team-mates. He is an honest guy who tells it how it is.

As so often happens in sport, his brilliance will only truly be appreciated when he is gone and England are no longer able to call upon him.

Interview: Andy Stockhausen