Ponting believes that Freddie's is on his knees

Warwickshire (UK), Aug.4 (ANI): Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting believes England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff dodgy knee may not see him take part in the remaining two Ashes tests.

Ponting could not help crowing over Flintoff's discomfort on the final day of the third test, when the latter could bowl only eleven overs.

"It's been pretty visible the last couple of days that he has been struggling more than he was at Lord's. When he batted he hobbled quite a bit. He went downhill pretty quickly. But that's their problem not mine," The Sun quoted Ponting, as saying.

With England's star batsman Kevin Pietersen already out of the series, Ponting knows Flintoff, 31, is the key man.

He said: "Without him and Kevin Pietersen that would leave two pretty big gaps in their team. There's no doubt they try to protect him, knowing how big a figure he is in their team."

Freddie will be assessed today but Andrew Strauss reckons Ponting is wrong to doubt him ahead of the Fourth Test on Friday. (ANI)