Knee injury jeopardises Gough's Ashes series

The England captain Nasser Hussain today admitted that England may have to go through the entire Ashes series without Darren Gough, who has been sent to the Adelaide academy for intensive treatment on his knee injury.

Although Hussain did not rule Gough out of the series, he told the BBC: "It's been going on for a year or so and Darren is very disappointed.

"We need to get him right. I'm not worried about the Ashes as far as Darren goes now. I'm just worried about getting Darren back.

"I'd have to be honest in that we've learnt to live without Darren. For me I'd like to see him back on the cricket field, whether it's the Ashes or not, because it's his career."

With Gough already out of the first Test which starts in Brisbane on Thursday, England have also to decide whether Andrew Flintoff is fit to play after taking part in just one match since his double hernia operation.

Although Flintoff bowled 26 overs and took two wickets in this week's drawn warm-up match with Queensland, he was noticeably stiff on the second day. England have the option of playing Craig White, who was added to the squad as cover for Flintoff.

"That will be the main debate in the selection over the next few days," Hussain said. "Both the all-rounders have played in a game and we will have to weigh things up.

"Andrew has nothing to prove in our team. He's been there for a year or two and has performed and the only thing he has to prove is whether he can do it two or three days' running because of his body now and whether we take that gamble.

"The first day of this week's game he was fine, but on the second day he was stiff and I don't know if he can do that over five days of intense Test match cricket if he's not 100% fit."

Hussain also rebuffed suggestions in the Australian media that Flintoff's Test record - he averages 19.48 with the bat and 47.15 with the ball - raises questions over whether he should have been selected for the tour in the first place.

"Statistics aren't everything," Hussain insisted. "As captain there are certain players you like having in your side and there are certain players with the potential of doing things that other players can't.

"There are certain players that when the ball is 70 overs old and other people are hiding will hold their hands up and do the tough yards for you, will always want to stand at slip to take the catches and who are strong enough to go out there with those statistics with the belief he can do it and Andrew Flintoff is one of those people.

"He's got to improve those statistics definitely, but anyone who has watched us and watched Freddie progress over the last year or so will have seen him do certain things that other people in England can't do."

A decision on who plays is likely tomorrow, when England will train at the Gabba for the first time tomorrow after a day off today.

"Australia haven't seen the best of the England cricket team for a long while and it's up to whoever is selected to put that right this time," added Hussain.

"How we've done in the practice games does not have any great bearing on the Test, it's how we are on Thursday and Friday that counts.

"If Australia see the same old England then they will be very pleased, but if they see a new, strong, vibrant England with good body language who are doing the basics right then they will realise they are in a real fight this series.

"You play differently when you're under pressure, whatever side you are and too often now Australia have dictated terms by putting pressure on the opposition. When you have no fear of losing a game and you can show all your skills and the crowd can get behind you, it's a very easy life and a very easy game.

"I've played against Australia and I don't believe our failings are down to a mental thing. It's down to basic cricket skills. I believe they practise their skills at such a level that it pays off in those pressure situations. That's what we have to learn."