Andrew Flintoff must be in the England team for the first Test against New Zealand, according to former Australia opener Justin Langer.

Somerset captain Langer is one of the few batsman to have faced the Lancashire all-rounder after his recent return from a fourth ankle operation.

Despite taking only a handful of wickets, Flintoff has bowled with tremendous pace and accuracy so far this season.

However, he has struggled with the bat, raising doubts over whether he will be recalled by England.

Langer wrote in his BBC Sport column: "If I was the sole selector of the England Test team, Andrew Flintoff could bat at number 11 if it meant playing him.

"Since the 2005 Ashes series, it has been my strong opinion that he is the best fast bowler currently playing international cricket - he must play in England's first XI.

"In many ways, it is a luxury to have the gladiatorial Lancastrian batting at number six and acting as the fourth bowler.

"There have been whispers that he needs to score runs to scrape into the England line-up.

"But I have never known Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh or Glenn McGrath having to score runs to be selected.

"There is no doubt Flintoff is a more talented all-round cricketer than the three legends I have just named, but he is in equal company when it comes to delivering a cricket ball."

Langer added: "Only last week, I padded up against Lancashire in the County Championship for Somerset and I can say first hand that Flintoff is absolutely ready to be picked for the first Test against New Zealand.

"I was shocked at the ferocity of the Flintoff onslaught at Old Trafford.

"As I kept saying to him, I could have understood if I was batting with Matthew Hayden and wearing a green Australia helmet with a kangaroo and emu embroidered on the front.

"For about an hour, I could have been in the boxing ring with Joe Calzaghe and by the end of it I had literally copped a hammering.

"My ribs, elbow and chest were so bruised I could have been confused for Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas!"

Sporting Life / Eurosport