LONDON, July 27: England allrounder Andrew Flintoff had surgery on his injured left ankle and will need 12 weeks to recover. Flintoff had the operation Wednesday to remove scar tissue surrounding a tendon at the back of the ankle, which has caused him pain while bowling, the England and Wales Cricket board said Thursday.

He's expected to be out for three months, missing England's four-test series against Pakistan. Flintoff hopes to be fit for the Ashes tour of Australia, which starts in November. Flintoff led England to victory over the Australians in the Ashes last year. His recovery will be handled by physiotherapist Dave Roberts at Flintoff's Lancashire county cricket club.—AP