England injury worry Flintoff sees specialist ahead of World Twenty20

TALISMANIC all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was dispatched to see his ankle surgeon yesterday as England prepared for last-minute selection issues for the World Twenty20.

Unlike one-day colleague Ravi Bopara, Flintoff has not yet been ruled out of the final two NatWest Series matches against India, starting with the penultimate fixture at the Brit Oval today, nor the 20-over tournament inSouth Africa.

Bopara’s absence means England will have at least one alteration to their 15-man party when they fly to Johannesburg on Sunday and changes may be made as late as 24 hours beforehand due to the current fitness uncertainty surrounding Flintoff and Chris Tremlett.

Fast bowler Tremlett misses today’s match after having an injection in an inflamed ligament in his right ankle.

Given Flintoff’s general influence, with the ball in particular, what the ankle surgeon recommends will be key to England’s immediate plans.

“He’s not been ruled out of selection for tomorrow so thus not ruled out of Saturday or the Twenty20,” said chairman of selectors David Graveney.

“But understandably we have to seek the proper professional opinion. His mood is remarkably upbeat given the number of operations he has had.

“He batted today; obviously he is able to do all the other things in playing cricket except bowl at 95 miles per hour.

“We want to see him play as an all-rounder and bowl as he has done in this series.”

Scans on Flintoff’s left ankle — which has been operated on three times — have proved clear but England may opt to give him as long as possible to be declared fit for the two-week tournament.

Current one-day squad members Ian Bell, James Anderson and Dimitri Mascarenhas are all in the shake-up to fill in.

Meanwhile, India captain Rahul Dravid says his team must be on top of their game in all disciplines if they are to beat opponents he rates highly.

“England are playing really good one-day cricket, and we’ve had to play really well to beat them in the two games we’ve won,” he said.

“We have been a bit inconsistent in our one-day performances, and the challenge is to back up one good showing with another.”