Flintoff is out of Tests

Andrew Flintoff is to miss England's Test tour of Bangladesh because of another injury problem.

The unlucky Lancashire allrounder pulled out of the trip today just 24 hours before the squad's departure for Dhaka and will be replaced by Kent pace bowler Martin Saggers.

Flintoff, whose Ashes tour last winter was wrecked when he failed to recover quickly enough from a hernia operation, is still being troubled by a groin problem that affected him towards the end of the summer.

The 25-year-old is to spend the next few weeks receiving treatment and working on his fitness but he will definitely miss both Tests against Bangladesh.

England are hopeful Flintoff can make it in time for the one-day internationals in Bangladesh and then play a full part in the tour of Sri Lanka which follows on immediately afterwards.

There is no suggestion this latest problem is connected with the hernia operation but it is another cruel blow to the all-rounder.

Flintoff missed both Tests against Zimbabwe at the start of the summer after being hit on his shoulder while batting in the Lancashire nets but roared back to play several superb innings against South Africa - including a brilliant knock of 142 at Lord's.

With England having already discounted Jimmy Anderson, Flintoff 's fast bowling colleague from Lancashire, for the trip to Bangladesh because of a knee problem, Saggers is the man chosen to pep up the attack.