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Stuart Broad has warned Australia that Andrew Flintoff is back to his best as the all-rounder looks to repeat his 2005 heroics as the Ashes series gets under way on Wednesday.

And Broad insisted Flintoff's recent off-the-pitch behaviour is "not a major thing" amongst his team-mates.

Flintoff was disciplined after failing to catch a team bus following an alleged drinking session during a trip to Belgium with his England team-mates last week.

But Broad is more concerned about Flintoff being an inspiration on the pitch when the first Test gets under way in Cardiff.

Broad said: "What happened with Freddie is certainly not a major thing within the team. It has been blown up outside of the team a bit.

"It is certainly not something that has affected the team or that we are worried about."

Broad added: "Australia will be wary of Freddie after 2005. He is the sort of player and character that any Test side in the world would want in their team.

"He's a crucial member of our side and brings a lot of firepower to our bowling attack and we are delighted to have him back.

"The side has done well without him in the last five or six months but having Freddie back gives us a huge confidence."

Flintoff has gradually been building up to full fitness after undergoing knee surgery following a spell in the Indian Premier League in early May.

Broad said: "He looks like he is firing on all cylinders. [In the warm-up game] against Warwickshire he bowled very quickly and we're looking forward to seeing the same again in Cardiff.

"I think it will be in Australia's minds what happened four years ago but more importantly it will be in Freddie's mind.

"He will have a lot of confidence from what he did then and a lot of belief he will be able to do exactly the same now.

"He is a man to be feared because he is a world-class bowler and world-class batsman."

Broad, meanwhile, has warned of the dangers of England overdoing short-pitched bowling at Australian opener Phillip Hughes.

He has come under the spotlight after twice being dismissed cheaply by rising deliveries from Steve Harmison during the match with England Lions at Worcester.

Broad admits England have their plans for Hughes but is conscious the left-hander has made two centuries in three Tests and should not be written off.

Broad added: "We have seen the footage and the way Hughes has got out. We have our plans to him and will be looking to put them into practice as much as we can.

"Steve Harmison might have put a few doubts in his mind and he gave a couple of their batsmen a good working over. It was good to see him bowling so well and so ferociously.

"But one thing we can't look past is that Hughes has got a great Test record.

"It is crucial we don't get carried away with using that tactic at him.

"Those deliveries would have been too good for most left-handers in the game. They were vicious deliveries from a bloke bowling at 90mph who is 6ft 7in tall."

Nevertheless, Broad believes that Graham Onions deserves his place in the Test squad after being selected ahead of Harmison as he also bowled well at Worcester.

Broad said: "We know Steve is a world-class bowler when he is firing but you have to look at Graham Onions' record this year.

"He came into the Test squad against the West Indies and bowled fantastically well and picked up five wickets in an innings.

"He deserves to be in the squad which has been winning and doing well. We are very confident and looking forward to getting going on Wednesday." Article and news by Nazia sumair.