England blow as Flintoff is sent for scan

The all-rounder started yesterday's game against a St Kitts & Nevis team but pulled out of the remaining two days after feeling discomfort in his left side. He will return to the England team hotel this evening and the results of the scan — which management stress is being undertaken as a precautionary measure — are expected tomorrow.

But with the First Test against West Indies little more than a week away, any problem concerning the team's key all-rounder must worry the camp.

Last summer, Flintoff's comeback from a career-threatening ankle injury was put on hold for a month when he suffered a strained left side.

England's hope now will be that their most reliable fast bowler is fit enough to play a full part in this week's second and final warm-up game, against West Indies A, in St Kitts. Apart from the Flintoff scare — and a second-ball duck for new captain Andrew Strauss (right) — this tour could not have started much better on the field, with former skipper Kevin Pietersen and Test hopeful Owais Shah both making centuries against a limited invitation XI.

Pietersen's 103 could almost have been guaranteed before a ball was bowled. There is still some bitterness over the affair earlier this month which cost him his job but an overriding determination to prove himself the best batsman in the world shone through.

"What happened to me for a couple of weeks really hurt me," said Pietersen, who was persuaded to resign rather than be sacked after calling for the removal of former coach Peter Moores. "I have just got to get back to doing what I love. I love training, batting and scoring runs for England. I would like a few questions answered but time is healing."

Pietersen has maintained he only pushed for Moores's removal after being asked to present his blueprint for the England team by his bosses at Lord's.

While Pietersen's hundred stood out, Shah's contribution of 125 not out to a total of 424 for eight could be more significant, with the Middlesex batsman in direct competition with Ian Bell for the No3 Test spot. Bell managed only 36.

Alastair Cook and Steve Harmison both passed 50 but Flintoff holed out for 11 before his withdrawal. His place will be taken by Stuart Broad.