Flintoff ruled out - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Flintoff ruled out

Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of England's opening npower Test against West Indies at Lord's with an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old Lancashire all-rounder failed a fitness test this morning, with England deciding to replace him with Owais Shah.

Middlesex batsman Shah was due to bat at number three for the first Test of the international summer, while England also decided to keep faith with left-arm spinner Monty Panesar.

Steve Harmison, Liam Plunkett and Matthew Hoggard will spearhead England's seam attack.

However, they have a job to do with the bat first after West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, leading the side for the first time as the official captain, won the toss and decided to bowl first in seamer-friendly conditions.

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