Flintoff out of Second Test

Andrew Flintoff has been ruled-out of England’s Second Test against West Indies, starting on Friday, due to his long-standing ankle problem.

The Lancashire all-rounder did not play in last week’s First Test after reporting soreness in the joint following Lancashire’s Championship game with Hampshire, the last time he bowled in the middle. Despite passing a preliminary fitness test earlier today he was deemed not fit to bowl and will sit out the game. This saves the England management from a potentially awkward decision, which would almost certainly have seen a century-maker from the previous game dropped. The only likely team changes now are James Anderson replacing the injured Matthew Hoggard and fit-again Michael Vaughan taking Owais Shah’s place at number three.