Rachael and Andrew Flintoff celebrated the birth of a boy

England captain Andrew Flintoff went into the second Test against India with the news his wife Rachael has given birth to their second child, a boy.

Corey Flintoff was born 13 days early, weighing 6lb 14oz (3.12kg), a younger brother for 18-month old Holly.

With Rachael expected to give birth on 21 March, Flintoff made plans to miss the third Test to come home but stayed in India after being named captain.

"It's fantastic news," he said of the new arrival. "It's a great feeling."

Flintoff will get to see his son for the first time when he returns to England in the small gap between the Test series and one-day internationals.

"I told the players last night, and they were very happy for me," he said. "Rachael is out of hospital and is doing fine, and so is Corey."

When Michael Vaughan's tour ended because of further knee trouble and with Marcus Trescothick also returning early due to family issues, Flintoff was a popular choice to lead England.

"The situation dictates what I'm doing," Flintoff told the BBC at the time. "Rachael is very supportive of my decision. She is very proud I have been made captain."

Kevin Pietersen, who top-scored for England on the first day of the second Test, admitted that his captain had been very excited by the happy news.

"He is really jovial, and I hope we can improve his mood further and do England a favour by doing well in this game," Pietersen said.