Rashid takes Flintoff's place

Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid will replace Andrew Flintoff in the World Twenty20 after the England management conceded the all-rounder would not be fit following his recent surgery on a slight tear to the meniscus in his right knee.

Flintoff had surgery last month and yesterday visited his surgeon for an update on his progress.

While Flintoff has made an excellent recovery, in line with the surgeon’s prognosis, he will not be at full fitness in time for the World Twenty20.

ECB chief medical officer Nick Peirce said: “Andrew is making excellent progress and there is no swelling or pain now in the knee.

"He has been putting in some extremely hard training with Lancashire and should start running and practising this week.

“After discussions with his surgeon we have decided that he should continue the remainder of his rehabilitation with physio Dave Roberts, who has overseen his previous rehabilitations.”

The ECB approached the World Twenty20 technical committee for permission to nominate Rashid as a replacement for Flintoff in the 15-man squad that was announced on May 1.

National selector Geoff Miller said: “We had to name Andrew in the ICC World Twenty20 15 because we hoped he would be fit but in reality the timescale was always optimistic.

“We have now obtained permission from the ICC to name Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid as a replacement. There is a lot of cricket still to play this year and it is important Andrew is fully fit for it.

“Meanwhile, it is an exciting opportunity for Adil Rashid, who was in the original 30 we named in early April.

“He has impressed the England management after being a part of the Test tour to India and the subsequent Caribbean tour and deserves his chance.”

source: http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/world/icc-world-twenty20-2009/rashid-takes-flintoffs-place,305652,EN.html