Fit Flintoff heads back to Australia

England have been given a boost ahead of the World Cup after Andrew Flintoff was given the all-clear to return to action with the one-day squad. The Lancashire all-rounder will fly back to Australia today after proving his fitness – a month after being sent home from for rehabilitation after his failure to overcome a groin injury.

Flintoff had a hernia operation in the summer but England gambled on his recovery and included him in the tour party. That decision backfired as he did not take part in any of the Test matches or one-day internationals before returning home.

During an intensive work-out in Manchester yesterday, under the supervision of the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief medical officer, Dr Peter Gregory, Flintoff proved he is ready to return to action.

"Andrew has worked extremely hard at his rehabilitation over the past six weeks and has undergone a rigorous fitness test designed to simulate the type of pressures he would face in a real match," said the chairman of selectors, David Graveney. "He will need time to acclimatise and get used to bowling outdoors again when he arrives in Australia, but once that process is complete, we anticipate that he will be available for selection immediately."

Before the World Cup, England have two games left in the triangular one-day series, plus another three if they make the final.