Flintoff to miss BD Tests

Andrew Flintoff is injured and will miss both of England's Tests against Bangladesh in October.

The all-rounder hopes to be fit for the one-day internationals which follow the Tests but is replaced in the Test squad by Kent seam bowler Martin Saggers.

Flintoff's injury is in the groin area, where he has been affected in the past in a career already blighted by injury.

Saggers has never played for England in international cricket. The Test squad departs from Heathrow on Tuesday.

Born in Norfolk, Saggers is now 31 but has been one of the most consistent bowlers in the country since the year 2000.

For four years he has taken at least 50 wickets in the County Championship, his best season being 2002 when he took 83 at an average of 21.51.

Though the call-up is a fine reward for Saggers, Worcestershire's Kabir Ali could be upset not to have been named.

Kabir played in the Headingley Test won by South Africa earlier this summer and was also in the one-day squad in June, but did not get a bowl.

Saggers, a specialist is not a like-for-like replacement for Fintoff, who now holds a pivotal role for England as chief all-rounder.

The 25-year-old said: "I've had a bit of trouble with my groin and it was decided that this was a good opportunity to work on it with Lancashire physio Dave Roberts for a few weeks to strengthen it.

"It's disappointing but we have a big winter ahead and this looked like a good opportunity to work on it and get it strong for the rest of the winter."

Flintoff's loss could be Paul Collingwood's gain.

Durham man Collingwood emerged last winter as an emerging all-rounder in the one-day squad, but he then dislocated his shoulder in pre-season training and missed virtually the whole of the summer.

As a bowler he is a long way from being in Flintoff's league, however, and even against a team of Bangladesh's standing, England will have to ponder the balance of their side long and hard.

Saggers, uncapped at international level, had planned to play club cricket in South Africa this winter.

Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said: "We decided not to opt for a like-for-like replacement for Andrew Flintoff as we already have two batting all-rounders in the squad in Rikki Clarke and Paul Collingwood.

"Martin had been placed on standby for the Test squad this winter and his inclusion will give us extra options in the pace bowling department."