Flintoff to bat at seven in second test

By Richard Sydenham

LEEDS, England (Reuters) - Andrew Flintoff will bat at number seven in his first test match for 18 months when England face South Africa at Headingley in the second test on Friday.

Captain Michael Vaughan told a news conference on Thursday that Paul Collingwood would make way for Flintoff with wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose, whose recent international form has been poor, promoted to number six.

Opening bowler Ryan Sidebottom, who was afflicted by a side strain in the first test at Lord's which ended in a draw on Monday, will undergo a fitness test on Friday.

Chris Tremlett has been recalled to the squad as cover and Nottinghamshire pace bowler Darren Pattinson has been placed on standby for James Anderson who is also suffering from a sore back.

Vaughan said he always considered Flintoff was a number seven, even though he enjoyed a successful series at number six in England's 2005 Ashes triumph.

"His style of play is attacking and given the chance he can take the game away from an opposition," Vaughan said. "He's happy there and feels comfortable and hopefully it will take some pressure off him and allow him to express himself.

"I'm very confident Tim Ambrose can go up and score runs. That is the confidence boost you need sometimes, he is hitting the ball well.

"He has only had one innings in this series. He didn't have a great one-day series (against New Zealand), which is why people are talking about him."