In order to see him fit for the Ashes, Flintoff has been ruled out of England’s squad for the ICC World Twenty20 set to begin this June; and Yorkshire leg spinner Adil Rashid has been called up to the 15 man squad as Flintoff's replacement.

 Nick Peirce, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) medical officer said, "Andrew is making excellent progress and there is no swelling or pain now in the knee," said Peirce of the all-rounder, who was England's star player when they won the Ashes in 2005 which was the last time he scored a century for the national side.

"He has been putting in some extremely hard training with Lancashire and should start running and practicing this week. "After discussions with his surgeon we have decided that he should continue the remainder of his rehabilitation with physio Dave Roberts, who has overseen his previous rehabilitations."

Flintoff’s loss is Rashid’s gain. The youngster who has yet to play a senior international game couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. National selector Geoff Miller said, “"We have obtained permission from ICC to name Adil Rashid as a replacement," he said.

"There is a lot of cricket still to play this year and it is important Andrew is fully fit for it. Meanwhile it is an exciting opportunity for Adil Rashid, who was in the original 30 we named in early April. He has impressed the England management after being a part of the Test tour to India and the subsequent Caribbean tour and deserves his chance."

For 21 year old Rashid, this T20 World cup is a big step, though his ultimate wish is to play test cricket for England. He believes Twenty20 cricket is a rather harsh sport: “When you're coming on for two overs then coming off again, it is difficult to get the pace and rhythm right," he is quoted telling Cricinfo. "But Twenty20 does teach you where to bowl, how to bowl and when to bowl, and if a batter gets after you, what to bowl.

"You've got to be looked after," said Rashid. "If you get hit for a six and a four, the captain must accept that a leg spinner is also a 'risk' spinner. He goes for runs but he's there to take wickets as well. It shouldn't be a bad thing if he gets hit for a six or a four; he shouldn't be taken off in the next over."

Comments

Add New RSS

3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

Newer news items:

Older news items: