Flintoff to join England Lions in India

LONDON (Reuters) - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will join the England Lions squad in India on Feb. 10 to continue his rehabilitation from ankle surgery, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Wednesday.

Flintoff, who had a fourth operation on his left ankle in October, was due to travel to India with his county Lancashire in mid-February but will now travel earlier to join England's coaching and support staff.

The ECB said he would not play for England's second side in the Duleep trophy matches.

"We're delighted that Andrew Flintoff is in a position to join up with the England Lions," David Parsons, the ECB's performance director and head coach of the England Lions, said in a statement.

"His rehabilitation programme is going very well and he's been working extremely hard over the past few months to get back to full fitness."

Flintoff hopes to return to the full England side in the home test series against New Zealand and South Africa.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by John Mehaffey)