Flintoff pulls out of match as 'precaution'

Andrew Flintoff has been withdrawn from England's practice match against a St Kitts & Nevis XI after experiencing discomfort in his left side. Although the team management insist it is a precautionary measure, they were last night making provisions for a scan and were granted permission by their hosts to use Stuart Broad as a substitute for the rest of the game.

Flintoff, 31, first experienced a problem bowling in the nets and, after batting on the opening day – he made 11 – was being examined by medical staff, who will decide whether a scan is necessary.

The only other warm-up contest before the first Test in Jamaica gets under way on 4 February is a first-class fixture against West Indies A starting this Thursday.

Flintoff, of course, has a history of injury problems, although they have largely been confined to a problem with his left ankle that has seen him spend long spells on the sidelines. He underwent a hernia operation in 2002.