Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of the upcoming World Twenty20.
The Lancashire all-rounder is convalescing following surgery on his knee and he had initially pencilled in the tournament which gets underway on June 5.
However, with the Ashes looming large on the horizon and his recuperation not as swift as he had hoped, plans to return for the short format of the game have been shelved.
The ECB has insisted Flintoff’s recovery is on schedule, but they have no intention of jeopardising his fitness by rushing him back into the fold.
"Andrew is making excellent progress and there is no swelling or pain now in the knee," said ECB medical officer Nick Pierce. "He has been putting in some extremely hard training with Lancashire and should start running and practicing 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."
Yorkshire leg spinner Adil Rashid has been drafted in as a replacement for Flintoff in the England squad.
England get their World Twenty20 campaign underway against Holland at Lord’s on June 5.