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England got the bad news they thought they would not hear this summer. Skipper Andrew Flintoff was ruled out of the rest of the series against Pakistan and remains doubtful for the Ashes too because of an ankle injury.

Flintoff, who was supposed to return from an ankle injury and lead England at Old Trafford, was told on Saturday that he would need ankle surgery that would force him out of action for almost 12 weeks.

The star all-rounder went through a final fitness test when he played for Lancashire against Kent in a county championship game earlier this week. But the match only proved that Flintoff was far from fully fit.

He felt pain in his ankle while bowling on the last day of the match and was asked to see a specialist. After the appointment with an ankle specialist, he learnt that the injury would need surgery.

A medical team of the England and Wales Cricket Board later issued a statement confirming the news.

“Flintoff saw a specialist on Saturday morning where it was decided that further surgery is required on his left ankle.

“His rehabilitation and return to full fitness is anticipated to be in the region of 12 weeks,” it said.

That means he will not be able to play any role in the series against Pakistan later this summer and opener Andrew Strauss would continue to lead England. He would also miss the ICC Champions Trophy pencilled in for this fall in India.

That is not all. Flintoff now faces a tough race against time to make it for the Ashes in Australia starting from November 23. Flintoff was the biggest star of England’s Ashes triumph against Australia at home last year and his absence is seen as the biggest reason behind the home team’s less than impressive performance in recent weeks.

Source:The News

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