Freddie out of Lanka ODI squad, Tremlett to repalce him

London, Sep 20 (UNI) England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was today ruled out of taking any part in the ODI series against Sri Lanka starting next month due to an ankle injury.

An ECB statement stated that the 29-year-old Flintoff, who has off late been in and out of the team due to injury, will return home from South Africa to receive specialist assessment on his ankle injury and will be replaced by pacer Chris Tremlett in the 14-member one-day squad to tour the emarald nation.

''Flintoff had experienced a reaction in his left ankle during the concluded ODI series against India on the home turf. However, after scans revealed that there were no serious threat, it was felt that the ongoing Twenty20 World Championship would provide him a safe platform to assess his ankle,'' the statement read.

He also featured in England's all five Twenty20 World Cup matches, but during yesterday's game against India the strain became visible when he began limping towards the end of his four overs.

Flintoff had surgery on his left ankle in July 2006, and the statement said he was suffering from a recurrence of a previous injury.

''But during the tournament he had experienced some discomfort and after thorough review and discussion with specialists, the team management felt that the big all-ronder needs time for his ankle joint to settle and therefore Flintoff will return home to receive further specialist investigation and rehabilitation.

''Hampshire bowler Chris Tremlett has been called up to replace Flintoff in the squad for the ODI tour of Sri Lanka,'' the statement added.

The England team, who were already eliminated from the inaugural Twenty20 championship yesterday after losing to India, will directly leave for Sri Lanka from South Africa.

However, the ECB made it clear that at this stage Flintoff has not been ruled out of the Test series against the Lankans in November.

UNI