 Flintoff has not bowled in a game since the World Cup |
Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of the second Test, which starts on Friday at Headingley, after failing a fitness test on his troublesome ankle. With Matthew Hoggard (thigh) also out, seamers Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson could join the team that drew the opening match against West Indies.
The injury saw Flintoff miss that game too, although surgery has not been deemed necessary so far.
He played as a batsman for Lancashire last weekend but has not bowled.
 | 606: DEBATE |
"It was deemed that Andrew's ankle did not demonstrate sufficient improvement after his first bowling session," said a statement.
"It was felt the best decision was to rule him out now without a further assessment."
Flintoff has had two operations on his left ankle in the past three years.
He was out for most of England's last domestic season, returning as captain for the limited-overs ICC Champions Trophy and the ensuing 5-0 Ashes defeat in Australia.
Batsman Owais Shah took Flintoff's place in the line-up at Lord's last weekend but England's attack was left short of firepower when Hoggard suffered his injury during the first innings.
Shah, who scored six and four at Lord's, was left out of the squad for the second Test of the series.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
