Flintoff to undergo surgery

Andrew Flintoff will return to England after the fifth Test against South Africa at Centurion to undergo surgery on his troublesome ankle. The development will be of particular concern to England, for it will leave Flintoff with little time to prepare for the Ashes series, which begins in July.

Flintoff's participation in the final Test was in doubt, but he played after a cortisone injection eased some of the pain. Yet he bowled more overs than any other bowler on the second day of the Test and took four wickets.

While England will miss a formidable presence in the one-day game when the seven-match ODI series begins, the surgery should ensure a fit attack in time for Australia's tour, where England will attempt to win a series against the Aussies for the first time since 1986-87.