Injury forces Andrew Flintoff out of IPL tournament

Cape Town, April 24 (ANI): Andrew Flintoff has returned to his home from the Indian Premier League to undergo surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee, a Cricinfo.com report stated.

While appearing for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL tournament, Flintoff felt discomfort in his right knee. The Chennai medical staff immediately contacted ECB Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Peirce.

After scans were conducted of Flintoff's right knee at a Durban hospital, a slight medial meniscal tear in the knee was detected. After these scans were viewed by Nick Peirce, radiologists the surgeon it was decided that Flintoff should return to London.

Flintoff will undergo an operation early next week and surgeons are confident that he should recover from the keyhole surgery within three to five weeks.

Clearly this is a huge disappointment for both the player and the IPL team," Peirce said. "This sort of degenerative injury though is one that could have happened at any time any where. The procedures we put in place meant that the ECB medical staff were alerted about the problem immediately and we thank Chennai for their co operation."

Hugh Morris, the ECB's managing director of cricket, added: Andrew has been extremely unlucky with injuries but if there is one saving grace it is that the injury has occured now rather than on the eve of either the ICC World Twenty20 or the Ashes.

"Having the surgery now means that Flintoff should be available for both those events although he is certain to miss the Test series against the West Indies." (ANI)