Gilchrist not convinced of Flintoff's fitness

Adam Gilchrist has predicted that Australia's left-hand heavy batting line-up will face a tough time against Andrew Flintoff in the Ashes - but only if Flintoff's fitness improves dramatically. Gilchrist said it was optimistic for England to expect major bowling output from Flintoff, who he believed was still suffering the effects of his powerful Ashes performance in 2005.

But if Flintoff can recapture some of that form, he will pose a significant threat to Australia's top order. The visitors are likely to have four left-handers in their top six - Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey and Marcus North - and Gilchrist remembers how difficult Flintoff was to fend off.

"He is so awkward to face as a left-hander," Gilchrist told the Independent. "It's his physicality, his angle of attack, his height. I admire his controlled aggression. He's in your face but not recklessly so.

"He creates an aura of control, even if you get a good shot away he has that look in his eye, and a demeanour, that suggests it is all part of a big plan. Warne and McGrath - they had the same quality. When I have faced Flintoff since he can still get his weaponry to that level. It's just he's not been able to do it consistently."

Gilchrist said while Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen would be the stars England would look to in tough situations, Ricky Ponting and Mitchell Johnson loomed as the key men for Australia. He believed Australia needed to play a full-time spinner and hoped the selectors would trust Nathan Hauritz, who could yet be squeezed out to make way for an all-pace attack.

Whatever starting line-up Australia choose, it will be a vastly less experienced one than the side that tackled England in 2005. However, Gilchrist said he was buoyed by the strong performances of the young squad in South Africa, where they won 2-1, and he hoped Ponting could continue to develop his players.

"That group really surprised me and I'm very much encouraged," Gilchrist said. "I'm also encouraged listening to Ricky. His enthusiasm is exceptional. In the past he's been criticised for not moulding a team. Well, he's neither needed, nor had the chance, to do it before. He has the chance to develop this group and I think he is really excited by it. He wants to leave that legacy of formulating a team out of this fresh start."