Lancs doubts over Freddie

Flintoff: side strain

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Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson has said that Andrew Flintoff is unlikely to be available for the balance of England's Test series with New Zealand.

After producing some fine form with the ball on his return from ankle surgery, the all-rounder complained of discomfort in his side whilst bowling for Lancashire against Durham last week.

Flintoff was subsequently sent for a scan and, having been told to rest for two to three weeks, he was forced to miss out on the first Test at Lord's.

The injury was also expected to rule Flintoff out of the second Test but his absence is now thought likely to extend to the third and final match, which starts at Trent Bridge on June 5th.

Fitness

To press his case for inclusion in that match, the 30-year-old will have to prove his fitness in Lancashire's LV County Championship match against Yorkshire at Headingley, which begins on May 28th.

However, Watkinson admitted Flintoff is now unlikely play a part, saying: "I don't want to be making predictions but I don't think he will be back for the Roses game.

"Maybe Fred will be back against Nottinghamshire [on June 6th], but it is early days. He is taking it easy this week.

"It is early doors for me to make any comment. He'll need rescanning and reassessing.

"I'm just looking at the timescale of two or three weeks' recovery and a week to get match fit and that's where it takes us."

England coach Peter Moores said this week that, if fit, Flintoff would have been included in his squad for the first two Tests.

T20 appearance?

However, if Watkinson's assessment proves correct then the earliest he is now likely feature is the Twenty20 international against New Zealand at Old Trafford on June 13th.

England then begin a five-match one-day international series against the Black Caps at Chester-le-Street on June 15th.

Watkinson also expressed the opinion that Lancashire's prompt action in identifying Flintoff's injury at the end of their match against Durham prevented further potential problems.

"We nipped what could have been a serious injury in the bud," he told The Independent online.

"By acting so quickly, two or three weeks' rest should be enough to cure it."