Flintoff ruled out

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley because of his persistent knee injury.

The 31-year-old took part in a net session on Thursday with heavy strapping on his right knee, but clearly has decided he cannot stand the rigours of this five-day match.

Flintoff's injury problems prompted him to announce earlier this summer that he will quit Test cricket at the end of the Ashes series.

Captain Andrew Strauss had been adamant on Thursday evening that Flintoff would only be given the green light to play if fully fit.

"When you're captain of the team you're motivated by what's right for the team," said Strauss.

"Obviously if Fred plays and has a detrimental effect on the team, it would be wrong for us to have made that decision on sentimental grounds and I think Fred would appreciate that himself.

"The last thing he wants to happen is to play and then not be able to fulfil a role in the game.

"It's a dire situation for an individual: he will be very honest with us, and sentimentality is pushed to the back of all our minds."

Having played such a dominant hand in the 2005 series victory over the Australians, Flintoff's bowling display at Lord's in particular has put the hosts just one win away from back-to-back home wins.

England will now have to alter the balance of their side by either bolstering the batting with debutant Jonathan Trott or recalling one of pace bowlers Steve Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom.