DURBAN, Sept 20: All-rounder Andrew Flintoff’s lingering ankle injury has ruled him out of England’s One-day International series in Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday.

“Andrew Flintoff will return home to the UK today to receive specialist assessment on his left ankle,” an ECB statement said. “As a result he will not take part in England’s forthcoming ODI series in Sri Lanka.”

Flintoff played in all five of England’s Twenty20 World Championship matches, but by Wednesday’s game against India the strain was obvious when he began limping towards the end of his four overs.—Reuters