England not commenting on report

The England team management have declined to comment on a newspaper story that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was involved in an incident in which he capsized at sea.

The News of the World are reporting that Flintoff, captain in the recent Ashes series, got into difficulty "at 4am".

This follows news that England have fined several players - thought to be James Anderson, Ian Bell, Jon Lewis and Liam Plunkett - for a late-night drinking session just hours after losing their opening match of the World Cup against New Zealand in St Lucia on Friday.

Several players were given the fines after admitting a breach of team discipline at a lunchtime meeting of all the squad and management.

News of the these activities came to light when several British newspapers were emailed by fans reporting that a handful of players were out drinking into the early hours of the morning at Rumours Nightclub close to the team hotel.

There is no suggestion of improper behaviour by the players but England have clamped down on them for breaching team rules.

Other players were also thought to have been out but escaped disciplinary action because they returned home to their hotel at a reasonable hour.

Under normal circumstances England's players are allowed to enjoy themselves providing they do not breach the strict team rules set down by the management.

But with England due to play their second match in group C against Canada on Sunday, which they must win if they are to qualify for the next stage of the tournament, the management would not have wanted any players out so late.