ASHES 2009: Flintoff still at the races thanks to an injection of horse bacteria
Mail on Sunday Article of 18th July 2009 - Please read complete story here.
Andrew Flintoff's hopes of playing a full part in this summer's Ashes rest on the success of a new treatment for arthritis using a synthetic form of a substance originally found in horse bacteria.
Flintoff announced on Wednesday his decision to retire from Test cricket at the end of the series, citing his latest knee injury as the deciding factor.
But he was able to play in this Test only after a series of injections on Monday that reduced inflammation in the joint.
The treatment not only included cortisone but also a relatively new drug called Ostenil, a lubricant made from a highly purified form of a bacteria originally found in the guts of horses.
The England medical team are confident the treatment will let Flintoff stave off the pain he felt last week in Cardiff, and he will have a fitness assessment and more rehab next week which will determine whether he can continue in his quest to finish his Test career on an Ashes high.
