"I'm going to bat at number three," Flintoff told reporters on Saturday. "It is something I have discussed with the coach (Duncan Fletcher)."

The England all rounder will be playing his first competitive match since ankle surgery in July.

"I have had a few opportunities earlier in my career," he said. "I'm a bit more experienced and confident about my game on things like my technique. I feel I'm more equipped to do that now."

Ian Bell [Images] is likely to open the innings with Andrew Strauss [Images] in the absence of Marcus Trescothick [Images] who pulled out of the trip because of a medical condition.

Flintoff, who confirmed he would not bowl in the tournament until he felt totally comfortable with the state of his ankle, said the presence of all rounders such as Paul Collingwood [Images] and Jamie Dalrymple had contributed to his decision.

He said his team had learnt lessons, particularly on how to tackle spin, after the 5-1 series loss in India earlier this year.

Indian off spinners Harbhajan Singh [Images] and Ramesh Powar [Images] loom as a threat on a pitch which has played slow in previous games.

"The last time, we got into positions from where we could have won," Flintoff said. "When we get on top, we need to stay there.

"We can beat anyone in the world, as we have done against Pakistan and Australia when they came over."

FLEXIBLE SIDE

World champions Australia and defending champions West Indies [Images] are in the same group.

"One thing we will be going out there and showing is what we can do on certain days, we can do over a period of time," Flintoff said.

"We are going into a winter with a lot of cricket and a lot of one-day cricket and we need to be consistent."

England rallied from 2-0 down to draw the recent series against Pakistan after they were routed 5-0 by Sri Lanka [Images].

Flintoff said the absence of injured captain Michael Vaughan [Images] and Trescothick would not weaken the batting.

"If you look at the side now, it is strong with a lot of flexibility," he said. "It is a tough group and I'm confident."

He was pleased with his own recovery from injury.

"I've bowled about 75 percent in the nets," he said. "It (bowling) is not a concern, it is just going to take a bit of time."