Flintoff not needed for Tests

England allrounder Andrew Flintoff will fly home after the three-match one-day series against Pakistan due to a back problem, an English tour official said on Thursday.

"England is happy to play him as a batsman in the one-dayers but due to the back problem he will not stay for the Tests," the official said.

Surrey player Flintoff, 23, was named in both one-day and Test squads.

Alex Tudor, who hit 99 on his Test debut against New Zealand in the last English season, will replace Flintoff. Dubbed as a second Ian Botham, Flintoff played four Tests in South Africa last year before suffering a stress fracture of his left foot in Capetown. Criticised for being overweight, Flintoff has yet to transform his potential into performance.

Fast bowler Matthew Hoggard, who became the first tour victim of Pakistan's spicy cuisine on Tuesday, has recovered and attended training on Thursday.

Mail Cricket Editor