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Flintoff left out of MCC side to face Sussex at Lord's

31/03/2008

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been left out of the MCC invitational side to play county champions Sussex in next month's domestic season curtain-raiser.

The 30-year-old Lancastrian continues to step up his rehabilitation from last year's ankle surgery - his fourth such operation on the recurring injury - playing in his county's recent pre-season tour of Dubai.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had considered playing Flintoff in the fixture, which is the traditional opener to the domestic season at Lord's.

However it has erred on the side of caution to allow the player to make a full recovery, having rushed him back in the past which led to a relapse.

The 12-man MCC squad will be captained by Middlesex batsman Ed Joyce, who recently skippered the England Lions on the tour of India, and also includes senior internationals Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara, Graham Onions and James Foster.

Other fellow England Lions in the squad are Michael Carberry, Adil Rashid, Steve Kirby and Alan Richardson.

England under-19 bowler Steve Finn, former Lions spinner James Tredwell and Surrey prospect Arun Harinath complete the squad for the four-day game, which begins on April 10th.

After being named to lead the side, Joyce said: "It is an honour to be asked to captain the MCC team against Sussex, and it's a match I'm greatly looking forward to.

"With the spotlight on this game, it's a chance for all of the guys to get some early season form and make the England selectors sit up and take notice.

"There will be a lot of determined cricketers at Lord's, and you can expect a very competitive match as a result."

Despite not playing in the high-profile game, Flintoff is still hoping to prove his fitness to the England selectors before the first Test of this summer's series against New Zealand, which begins on May 15th.

Full 12-man MCC squad to play Sussex:

Ed Joyce (Middlesex, captain)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Michael Carberry (Hampshire)
James Foster (Essex)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Arun Harinath (Loughborough UCCE & Surrey)
Steven Kirby (Gloucestershire)
Graham Onions (Durham)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Alan Richardson (Middlesex)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
James Tredwell (Kent)