Flintoff rested ahead of Test

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Andrew Flintoff will not be risked in England's final warm-up match ahead of the Test series in the Caribbean.

England all-rounder Flintoff, 31, has not been included in the team to face West Indies A in a first-class fixture at Warner Park, which begins tomorrow.

Scan results on his side strain showed 'no major damage' but the tourists are taking the cautious route just a week away from the first Test at Sabina Park.

"He is still a little sore but the scan results were good, so hopefully he will be ready for the first Test," said Andy Flower, who is fronting the coaching staff on this trip.

Flintoff pulled out of the opening contest of the 11-week tour - against a St Kitts & Nevis XI - after hitting just 11 on the first day, complaining of discomfort to his left side.

So if he is plunged into the Test series opener next week, he will not have had any serious opportunity to bat or bowl in match conditions for six weeks.

"It's not ideal but he'll certainly be okay bowling-wise," Flower added.

"Ideally we would have liked him to have got a longer hit in the middle but that is not going to be.

"But he could go straight into a Test match; he's experienced enough to go straight in."

Middlesex batsman Owais Shah will get a chance to further pressurise Ian Bell for the number three position, after recovering from a scratched cornea.

Nottinghamshire duo Graeme Swann and Ryan Sidebottom will also get their first opportunities of the tour, making up a four-man attack with Steve Harmison and James Anderson.