Super Kings hoping for Freddie’s return

Super Kings hoping for Freddie’s return Wednesday, Jun 09 2010 Chennai: Chennai Super Kings, the 2010 Indian Premier League champions, received a boost ahead of the Champions League T-20 tournament in South Africa in September with all-rounder Andrew Flintoff deciding to get into competitive cricket after having recovered from a knee injury. Confirming that Flintoff will be available for the Champions League, Kasi Viswanathan of the Super Kings hoped that the Team Management gets the fitness certificate from the doctors attending on the England star. “Flintoff had informed the Super Kings that he will surely be available for the Champions League if fit by July this year,” Viswanathan said, adding: “The information that he will be available is nothing new, but the fact that Flintoff being fit and officially informing his county Lancashire is welcome news.” However, Viswanathan said Flintoff’s inclusion in the Super Kings team was subject to him producing a fitness certificate and in which case, the former England all-rounder would replace Justin Kemp. “Unless Super Kings get an official fitness certificate from the doctors of Flintoff, his replacement Justin Kemp would be in the team to tour South Africa for the Champions League. “Kemp would not find a place in the team if Flintoff is available for the Champions League. Flintoff is a quality all-rounder and he can really be a match-winner on South African pitches.” Flintoff, who was purchased for a record USD 1.5 Million at the 2009 auction, went down with a torn meniscus in his right knee after appearing in just three matches for the Super Kings in South Africa. Following his surgery, he suffered a side strain to be out of the England team for their Caribbean tour. He underwent rehabilitation in Dubai later which also forced him out of the 2010 IPL that the Super Kings won on Indian soil. In the 2009 IPL that was shifted to South Africa due to security concerns in India, Flintoff played just three matches, scoring 62 runs with a highest of 24 and a strike rate of 116 while picking up two wickets for 105 runs (11 overs).