England plan Flintoff cover

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Talisman Flintoff was due to have a scan on a suspected muscle tear in his right hip on Friday - the results of which will be revealed on Saturday - and acting coach Andy Flower concedes the tourists are not overly hopeful on the prognosis.

Both Amjad Khan and Ravi Bopara could therefore feature in the two-day contest against a Barbados Cricket Association Presidents XI starting on Sunday, with Flower saying: "Part of the reason we have called up Ravi Bopara is because if we decided to play six batsmen we wouldn't have anyone in reserve, so if someone bust a finger in the two-day game, we wouldn't be able to play six."

He added: "On the other hand if he (Flintoff) is out - and it is quite likely he might be out of the next Test - we would be one seamer down, so we have got Amjad Khan in."

Trying to balance a side without Flintoff has been a perennial problem for England over recent years due to a recurring ankle injury.

The situation this time, however, is further complicated by wicketkeeper Matt Prior's domestic situation.

Prior, 26, is on call to return home for the birth of his first child, and currently scheduled to fly back on March 2, immediately upon the conclusion of the Barbados Test.

If he starts the match, Prior is committed to playing, but should his wife Emily go into labour before next Thursday, he would temporarily quit the tour.

Prior moving up to number six would allow England to field a five-man bowling attack but there are doubts as to whether deputy gloveman Tim Ambrose is a strong enough batsman to fill the same position.

England's injury problems have worsened over the last few days and off-spinner Graeme Swann - who enjoyed a fine personal Test in Antigua - is battling an elbow injury, which has put his own retention in the side in doubt.