Andrew Flintoff today lost the battle to prove his fitness for the start of the Ashes series when he was overlooked by England for the first Test at The Gabba, Australia.
The Lancashire all-rounder was replaced by Craig White after failing to persuade the tourists' management that he was ready to withstand the rigours of five days of Test cricket against Australia.
Flintoff only made his comeback from an August hernia operation this week and admitted feeling stiff after bowling 18 overs on the opening day of the drawn match with Queensland.
White will form a four-strong seam attack alongside Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones with Ashley Giles providing England's spin alternative.
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