Andrew Flintoff: ruled out of the Tests © Getty Images

A persistent groin injury has forced Andrew Flintoff to pull out of the forthcoming Test matches in Bangladesh. Kent's Martin Saggers will take his place for the two Tests in Dhaka (Oct 21-25) and Chittagong (Oct 29-Nov 2). The selectors hope that Flintoff will be available for the one-day series in Bangladesh that follows the Tests, and the whole of the tour of Sri Lanka, which includes three ODIs and three Tests.

Dr Peter Gregory, the ECB's chief medical officer, explained: "Andrew Flintoff continues to suffer pain in his groin and has not recovered sufficiently since the last Test against South Africa to pass a pre-tour fitness test. He will remain in the UK and continue a rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the Lancashire physiotherapist Dave Roberts."

David Graveney, the chairman of England's selectors, said: "We decided not to opt for a like-for-like replacement for Andrew Flintoff as we already have two batting allrounders in the squad in Rikki Clarke and Paul Collingwood. Martin Saggers had been placed on standby for the Test squad this winter, and his inclusion will give us extra options in the pace-bowling department."

Flintoff is hoping that he will be fit enough to fly out with his Lancashire team-mate James Anderson, who also withdrew from the Test part of the Bangladesh tour with a knee problem, in time to rejoin the squad for the first of the three ODIs, at Chittagong on November 7.

The uncapped Saggers, who is 31, had planned to play club cricket in South Africa this winter, but arrangements are now being made for him to join up with the England Test squad in Dhaka later this week.