Flintoff leads again

Andrew Flintoff has regained the England captaincy just 10 days after being relieved of the job.

All-rounder Flintoff will lead his country until Michael Vaughan returns from injury. Vaughan tore his left hamstring fielding in the maiden tour victory against New Zealand on Tuesday and England deliberated over who should take over the reins for Friday's Commonwealth Bank Series clash with Australia at the Gabba and beyond.

Flintoff, 29, began the tour Down Under as captain but was deposed when Vaughan returned from a career-threatening injury.

"It's something I wanted to think about - I didn't expect this when Michael came back," said Flintoff.

"It was about getting it right in my mind and you shouldn't underestimate what a big job it is. We are a young, inexperienced side and I wanted to get it straight in my mind."

It was widely believed Andrew Strauss would take over when Vaughan incurred his injury, amid concerns about Lancastrian Flintoff's overall workload. But Flintoff decided he wanted the job back, undeterred by his leadership experience on the tour so far, the 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

Final discussions took place between flights on Wednesday afternoon, after England travelled to Queensland from Tasmania via Melbourne. And Flintoff was revealed as captain once again at 9.30pm local time in Brisbane (11.30am GMT).

Ironically, he has arguably played his best cricket since returning to the ranks and was man of the match in England's first win in 72 days in Australia on Tuesday when New Zealand were beaten by three wickets in Hobart.

Vaughan's absence from the batting unit should be filled by Essex's Ravi Bopara, who met up with the touring party when they arrived, although Lancashire's Mal Loye has also been drafted in as cover.

Vaughan's condition and anticipated absence is to be reassessed in the next couple of days.