Opener Andrew Strauss [Images] believes the senior players in the England [Images] team must ensure captain Andrew Flintoff [Images] does not overexert himself with the ball during the Ashes series in Australia.

The 28-year-old all rounder returns to the side for this month's ICC [Images] Champions Trophy in India after undergoing ankle surgery in late July and his ability to bowl at the one-day tournament is still being assessed.

England face hosts India in their Pool A opener on Sunday and while Flintoff may not be ready to bowl in that match, he is expected to be fit enough to join the attack in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on November 23.

"Bowling as captain is very tough because you have got to concentrate very hard on what you are doing with the ball," the left-handed Middlesex batsman said.

"It is very hard to concentrate on both the field placements and how long to bowl a spell.

"He [Flintoff] is learning all the time as well about when to bowl long and short spells.

"Batting generally it is quite clear, you are either ahead in the game or behind and you bat accordingly.

"He is going to need a lot of support from the senior players," he added.

"I'm more than happy to give him that."

QUITE FLATTERED

Flintoff was selected as skipper for the Champions Trophy and Ashes in the absence of injured Michael Vaughan [Images], given the job ahead of Strauss, who led England to a 3-0 home Test series victory over Pakistan and a 2-2 draw in the one-dayers.

"I was quite flattered [to be considered at all], it was a tough decision," Strauss told reporters. "I had only came in as a replacement for Flintoff.

"What I do know is Fred [Flintoff] has a great ability to lead from the front," he added.

"He can grab the match by the scruff of the neck, whether with the bat or the ball, and now as captain."

The South Africa-born player, however, warned that Flintoff must be wary of the fact that all rounders traditionally struggle as captains because of the heavy workload.

Flintoff scored 412 runs and took 24 wickets to be named player of the series in 2005 when England won the Ashes for the first time in 18 years with an epic 2-1 home victory.

Strauss said a solid performance at the Champions Trophy would be vital, particularly the pool contest against Australia in Jaipur on October 21, seen as a prelude to the Ashes.

"As a general rule it is very important to get off to a good start," he added.

"In the past, we have so many times been three [wickets] down for nothing and then you are really struggling.

"The Champions Trophy gives us a chance to play Australia prior to the Ashes and put in a good performance."