Flintoff under Lord's cloud

Andrew Flintoff has been feeling discomfort in his ankle

Key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will have to come through a stringent fitness test on Wednesday to prove his availability for England’s opening Test against West Indies.

The 29-year-old Lancastrian has been a doubt for England ever since it was revealed he felt discomfort in his troublesome left ankle while bowling for Lancashire against Hampshire this weekend.

He had a scan on Sunday and was hoping to test his ankle, which has been operated on twice in the last three years, during England’s net practice at Lord’s on Tuesday.

But rain restricted the practice to the indoor school and although Flintoff batted, he failed to bowl and England will now put him through his paces tomorrow to determine whether he is fit enough to play in the opening npower Test.

Flintoff missed the second half of last summer with a similar injury, which eventually led to a further operation and he only returned just in time to lead England in the ICC Champions Trophy and the Ashes.

Should he fail his fitness test, Middlesex batsman Owais Shah may play his second Test as his replacement while England may also consider calling Lancashire’s James Anderson into the squad as an extra bowler.