LONDON, July 20: England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will play only as a specialist batsman in the first Test match against the West Indies, which starts at Lord's from Thursday.

The 26-year-old has been ruled out of the bowling attack with an inflammation surrounding a small bone spur on the back of his left ankle that has failed to heal after a period of rest.

It means Flintoff has had to endure yet another cortisone injection to try and speed along the recovery process to have him bowling again in time for the second Test at Edgbaston.

Having been at the mercy of injections for much of his career so far - to deal with lower back problems - Flintoff was reluctant to go down the same road again. But after advice from a specialist, he was left with no option in the hope that the problem will soon clear up.

Meanwhile, senior batsman Mark Butcher might miss the first Test after suffering whiplash in a car accident. Butcher, who had been receiving treatment for a thigh strain, will be assessed by the team physio but his hopes of extending an unbroken run of 42 Test appearance appear in doubt. -AFP