Cricket: Superman's superpowers on the wane

England's ashes superhero has woken up over the past week to something that would have seemed inconceivable a year ago - criticism.

Widely panned for his handling of the England attack during last week's drawn test against Sri Lanka, stand-in captain Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will be hoping to have spearhead Steve Harmison back in the attack for this week's second test at Birmingham starting Thursday.

But how Flintoff bounces back from his first sustained criticism since his weight and attitude was questioned in the early years of this decade will be the most compelling storyline of the test.

Writing for Cricinfo, Tim de Lisle summed up the mood of the nation: "Britain woke up last [week] to a sobering realisation. Flintoff - the nation's hero, Superman, Leading Cricketer in the World, etc - is capable of making a mess of things.

"This was Flintoff's first appearance in front of a home crowd since England won the Ashes and his life changed for good. He has made it quite clear that he regards some of the publicity with distaste, as anyone with a good brain would, and for the last two days he captained as if determined to prove that he is human after all."

England's cricketers have predictably rallied behind their captain, who is filling in for the injured Michael Vaughan.

Flintoff has been criticised for under-bowling Monty Panesar, who had only six overs on day five, but opener Andrew Strauss said that the nine catches dropped off the seamers were more to blame.

"There was a feeling that we had to wrap it up sooner rather than later and as a captain that makes it very, very difficult. What he did, and what most captains would do, is turn to their most threatening bowlers," Strauss said.

But Flintoff will be hoping to use Harmison, his closest friend and staunchest ally, during the second test at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Harmison has not played for England since the remarkable victory over India in Mumbai two months ago. He finished the test with shin splints and returned home, missing the seven one-day international series against the same opponent.

The injury, along with the birth of his third child, kept the fast bowler out of action for seven weeks and he returned to action only last week in a county match against Lancashire.

England coach Duncan Fletcher cautioned the selectors not to rush Harmison back if he is not quite ready, and he is right to be wary.

Without him, England should win the series.

But the same cannot be said against Pakistan, who arrive in England at the end of June and offer much sterner opposition.

- INDEPENDENT/AGENCIES