Cool NASA device eases Flintoff pain.

ENGLAND hope to continue the series momentum developed by Andrew Flintoff with their star all-rounder playing a lead role at Edgbaston this week.

Flintoff, 31, has been wearing a "Game Ready" wrap around his injured right knee in a bid to ease the discomfort he experienced before, during and after the Second Test win over Australia at Lord's.

The special contraption was designed using NASA spacesuit technology and simultaneously supplies intermittent compression and ice treatment.

Flintoff, whose fifth-morning display with the ball eight days ago sealed a 115-run victory and the man-of-the-match award at Lord's, bowled two spells of 10 minutes yesterday to boost England's preparations for tomorrow's Third Test.

England launched a vicious assault on the Australians at the start of the corresponding fixture in 2005, posting 407 all out on the first day, and there is arguably greater reason for positivity this time - given their 1-0 advantage.

"Lord's was brilliant because we played some really good cricket, but it is vital we drive home the advantage now," said opening batsman Alastair Cook.

"It is a good situation to be in.

But there is a long way to go, and we've got to produce some excellent cricket to win.

"We've got to look to improve here at Edgbaston and we can't rest easy at all."

Since Marcus Trescothick retired from international cricket, England have lacked firepower at the top of the order - although Cook showed a new facet to his game with a rapid 95 to set up the first innings in the Second Test.

"It is not something I've consciously done, and if I have to grind out some runs here this week then I'll be more than prepared to do that," added Cook.