Strauss delays team announcement

	Andrew Flintoff has not yet bowled at full pace on England's tour of the Caribbean © Getty Images

Naming a final eleven the day before a Test may bring a sense of stability and readiness to a team's preparations, but despite the chaotic backdrop to England's tour of the Caribbean, the new captain Andrew Strauss will not be rushed into showing his hand for the first Test at Kingston. Instead, Strauss will name his team shortly before the toss, to allow his pivotal performer, Andrew Flintoff, as much time as possible to confirm his readiness to take part.

The early days of England's tour have been dominated by another watching brief over Flintoff, who was withdrawn from the opening tour game on the first day after complaining of a side strain. He made a day-trip to Jamaica for a scan, which came back clear, but life is never that simple for Flintoff. He has steadily built up his workload in recent days, but his preparation for such a crucial Test has been far from ideal.

He was expected to undergo a rigorous workout in the two days leading in to the match, but has been managed very carefully, so much so that his final fitness Test comprised of roughly 18 balls in the middle and another 10 in the nets.

Protecting Flintoff has always been an issue for England's team management and now that problem rests on Strauss's shoulders. It's a case of risk versus reward. Flintoff brings so much to the team, but another setback - if he isn't 100% fit here - would be a major blow for the rest of the series, and possibly beyond.

Strauss, though, said he was "very confident" that Flintoff would be fine in the morning, but the only true test will come when he bowls at full pace over a number of spells in the heat of the day. The issue of Flintoff's long-term health comes up again and again mainly because of his huge workload. He never says no to a captain's demand for more work, and one of the challenges for Strauss will be for him to be strong enough to tell Flintoff he is going to stop a spell.

However, Strauss hasn't been afraid to spell out how he wants to run this England side and he is keen to reassess Flintoff's role in the bowling attack. "I just think Fred, out of all the bowlers, he's up there with the ones batsmen don't like facing. It's a shame to use him as a stock bowler, bowling maidens. If we can take pressure off him with length of spells we might get more wickets out of him."

England need to take 20 wickets, something that has been problematic in recent years. Flintoff has rarely taken the hauls he deserves, weighed down by a stock-versus-shock dilemma. To ease this situation, Strauss believes it's time the rest of the attack took some of the burden.

"We have a good balance, bowlers who can bowl maidens and others who can blast wickets," Strauss said. "If your role is a bit more defensive, it doesn't mean you won't take five wickets, it's just the type of bowling role you will do."

England could also field another bowler with concerns over his ability to get through a Test if Ryan Sidebottom returns to the side. He bowled steadily over the two days England spent fielding against West Indies A and Strauss said he will place his trust in the medical staff.

"There's always a question mark because he hasn't played," he said. "But he came through the game really well. All the indications are that he is 100% fit and you have to go with what the medical guys say."

The final bowling attack that takes the field will have the referral system at their disposal - as will the batsmen - the first time England have experienced a system they originally refused to endorse for last year's home series against South Africa. The ICC have tweaked the regulations, bringing the number of referrals down from three to two after feedback that the original version allowed for too many 'hopeful' requests.

"It's going to take some getting used to and we have had some discussions about how to go about it," Strauss said. "If we get more decisions right then it's a good thing, but you have to use them wisely and not undermine the umpires."

The last thing Strauss needs as he aims to forge his England team is distractions off the field, but he hasn't been granted that luxury either. By the time play starts on the third day the IPL auction will have taken place and at least two of the team, Kevin Pietersen and Flintoff, will be a lot richer.

"It's not ideal that it's taking place in the middle of a Test, but once you are involved everything else gets pushed to the back of your mind," he said. "People will have an eye on it, but any big contracts will be celebrated at the end of the game." Strauss will be hoping it's not only a bumper pay-day that Pietersen and Flintoff are celebrating when the Test is over.