LONDON (Reuters) - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will miss both tests in Bangladesh this month with a groin injury, the English Cricket Board (ECB) has said.
But the board hope the Lancashire player will be available for the one-day series there and for both the test and one-day series in Sri Lanka. Flintoff will be replaced in the test squad for the trip to Bangladesh by Kent's Martin Saggers.
The 31-year-old uncapped pace bowler had planned to play club cricket in South Africa this winter, but arrangements are now being made for him to join up with the England test squad in Dhaka later this week.
ECB chief medical officer Peter Gregory said on Monday: "Andrew Flintoff continues to suffer pain in his groin and has not recovered sufficiently since the last test against South Africa to pass a pre-tour fitness test.
"He will remain in the UK and continue a rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the Lancashire physiotherapist Dave Roberts."
Chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said: "We decided not to opt for a like-for-like replacement for Andrew Flintoff as we already have two batting all-rounders in the squad in Rikki Clarke and Paul Collingwood.
"Martin had been placed on standby for the test squad this winter and his inclusion will give us extra options in the pace bowling department."
England are playing two tests and three one-dayers on the Bangladesh tour, which runs from October 12 to November 12. They then play Sri Lanka in three one-day internationals before a three-test series from November 18 to December 22.
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