Flintoff had a fourth operation on his left ankle back in October

Andrew Flintoff has been left out of the MCC side to play Sussex as he continues his comeback from injury.

England selectors had considered playing the all-rounder against the county champions but have decided to take a more cautious approach.

But the 30-year-old is still hoping to play in England's first Test against New Zealand on 15 May.

He will step up his rehabilitation in Lancashire's friendlies ahead of the new season which begins on 16 April.

Flintoff underwent surgery, for the fourth time, back in October to correct a recurring problem with his left ankle and began bowling competitively in the Arabian Cricket Challenge at the beginning of March.

A 12-man MCC squad - captained by Middlesex batsman Ed Joyce - has been announced for the four-day match, which will begin on 10 April at Lord's.

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Joyce's county team-mate Owais Shah, back from England's tour of New Zealand, is also in the squad for the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season.

Also chosen are Essex pair Ravi Bopara and James Foster, as well as promising Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

Shah, Bopara and Foster are the only players with Test experience, while Joyce has played one-day internationals.

Spinner James Tredwell and seamer Graham Onions have been in England one-day squads without playing a match, while several other players have also been involved in the England Lions side over the winter.

For the fourth successive year, there is an MCC Universities cricketer - Loughborough UCCE batsman Arun Harinath, who is on Surrey's books - taking part.

MCC squad to play Sussex: Ed Joyce (Middlesex, captain), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Michael Carberry (Hampshire), James Foster (Essex, wk), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Arun Harinath (Loughborough UCCE/Surrey), Steven Kirby (Gloucestershire), Graham Onions (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Alan Richardson (Middlesex), Owais Shah (Middlesex), James Tredwell (Kent).