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Yorkshire's batsmen will be down on their knees praying Andrew Flintoff is selected in the England Test squad to face New Zealand this week.

If he is named tomorrow morning in the England party, then it seems the likelihood is that he will not be allowed to face the Tykes in the Friends Provident Trophy game at Old Trafford tomorrow.

By all accounts, Flintoff's spell against Durham late on the third day of the most recent County Championship game was one of the fastest that he has ever bowled.

Old Trafford is one of the quickest tracks in the country. And if Flintoff plays, then it will be a massive test for the Carnegie batsmen.

It would be a surprise if England leave him out of the Test squad, as he is the best bowler they have got.

But I would love to see them leave him out and give him more time in county cricket to get some runs.

Matthew Hoggard deserves an England recall. He has done everything asked of him so far this domestic season, claiming ten wickets in Championship cricket and a best of 6-47 against Hampshire.

It is going to be one of the most interesting Test selections of recent times, with James Anderson also pressing his claim for a place after match figures of 9-77 against Durham this week.

Meanwhile, there is so much at stake in tomorrow's Friends Provident Trophy game between Yorkshire and Lancashire, it will make the rivalry twice as intense.

The more matches like this we can have in county cricket, the more it will make people realise Twenty20 cricket is not the be all and end all.

The county season has started like a house on fire. With all the England players being available for their counties, it has given the game some much needed impetus at just the right time.

Don't be surprised to see Anthony McGrath score big against Lancashire tomorrow.

Ever since the lot from over the hill were interested in signing him last winter, he has scored runs for fun against them.

sport@thepress.co.uk

9:27am Saturday 10th May 2008

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