John Crawley has received the backing of Robin Smith after being named in England's side for the first Test against Australia tonight.

Crawley's poor form in the warm up matches made a starting place in the first Test a real doubt.

The 31-year-old has made 26, 0, 45 and 7 in all cricket since flying out a fortnight ago, which boosted Robert Key's chances after the Kent man's two half centuries.

But Smith believes that the England selectors were right to stick with Crawley, who will be winning his 35th Test cap.

He said: "I'm very biased but it was the right decision. Since he signed for Hampshire he has become a very good friend of mine and I'm delighted that he's in the side.

"At this moment in time he's not playing as well or as fluently as he would like or scoring the runs that he can but in the last ten years he's deserved more opportunities than he's had and I think he'll take this chance

"I'm backing John. He's got a very good temperament, he's an outstanding character and he copes with pressure very well."

Andrew Flintoff today lost the battle to prove his fitness for the start of the Ashes series when he was overlooked by England for the first Test at The Gabba.

The Lancashire all-rounder was replaced by Craig White after failing to persuade the tourists' management that he was ready to withstand the rigours of five days of Test cricket against Australia.

Flintoff only made his comeback from an August hernia operation this week and admitted feeling stiff after bowling 18 overs on the opening day of the drawn match with Queensland.

White will form a four-strong seam attack alongside Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones with Ashley Giles providing England's spin alternative.