England's Andrew Flintoff catches a ball during net practice at Headingley yesterday. England will face South Africa in the second Test, starting today. - AP

LEEDS, England (AP):

ANDREW FLINTOFF will play a Test match for the first time in 18 months when England play South Africa at Headingley today.

England captain Michael Vaughan said yesterday that the all-rounder will play in the second Test after recovering from long-running ankle and side strain injuries.

Flintoff's form in Lancashire's recent domestic victory over Hampshire, including three wickets and scoring the winning runs, convinced the England selectors to recall him.

Vaughan is hoping Flintoff will have a similar impact today.

Inevitable selection

"I know 18 months is a long time but who's to say that Freddy (Flintoff) won't come out and get a five-for (five wickets) and a hundred because that's his style," Vaughan told Sky Sports News. "He's like KP (Kevin Pietersen), one of these superstars who can do very special things. His bowling is exceptional. I've always said that."

Flintoff's selection became almost inevitable after the drawn first Test with the South Africans, which saw England squander a dominant position due to their weak bowling attack.

Having scored 593, England bowled South Africa out for 247 in its first innings and enforced the follow on. In the second innings, England's bowlers took just one wicket on the fourth day.

With Vaughan's main strike bowler Ryan Sidebottom struggling to overcome a back injury, and the rest of the attack misfiring, the South Africans eventually wiped out England's lead on day five, ending 47 runs ahead on 393-3.

Overcoming injury

Flintoff, who has had four ankle operations in the last three years, is optimistic his fitness worries are behind him.

"I don't think I'm at my best but I'm going in the right direction and showing signs of that," Flintoff said.

Vaughan confirmed the all-rounder would drop to seven in the order against South Africa, and his inclusion means coach Peter Moores and the captain must decide who to leave out.

England have fielded an unchanged line-up for the last six Tests, a first in Test cricket history, winning four of them.

Paul Collingwood is favourite to make way, having followed a disappointing series against New Zealand with another low score (seven) in the first Test.

If England opt to play with four bowlers, Stuart Broad could miss out, though with Flintoff's injury record and Sidebottom's lingering back problem that would appear unlikely, especially as Broad contributed 76 runs with the bat at Lord's.