Flintoff hands England injury dilemma

Nine months ago, Andrew Flintoff was nothing more than an afterthought for England, added to the Test squad in India because coach Duncan Fletcher saw the need for an extra allrounder. Now the selectors are hard pushed to work out how they might get by without him.

They had to confront that dilemma this week and will need to give the matter serious thought if medical opinion comes down firmly in favour of resting the 24-year-old Lancastrian rather than playing him in next Thursday's Third npower Test against India at Headingley.

Flintoff saw a specialist yesterday evening after scans on a niggling groin injury proved inconclusive.

England would dearly like Flintoff to help them win at Headingley, thereby doubling their lead and securing the four-match series.

They could then leave him out of the final Test and, if necessary, the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next month.

But with Craig White (torn abdominal muscle) already discounted from the Headingley match and Dominic Cork (knee) a doubtful starter, England are short of allrounders.

Andrew Caddick, who hasn't played for England since mid-June when the summer's first series, against Sri Lanka, ended at Old Trafford, looks ready to return after proving his fitness with Somerset this week.

Probable squad: M Vaughan, R Key, M Butcher, N Hussain (capt), J Crawley, A Stewart (wkt), A Flintoff, A Giles, D Cork, A Tudor, A Caddick, M Hoggard, S Harmison.