Flintoff ruled out of winter tours

LONDON, England -- England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has undergone a fourth operation in almost three years on his left ankle -- and faces a long recovery period before he can regain his international place.

The former England captain and vice-captain underwent surgery in the Netherlands on Friday and, as expected, the England and Wales Cricket Board have confirmed he will miss the Test tour of Sri Lanka which starts next month.

An ECB statement also suggests the 29-year-old is not thought likely to be fit in time for the tour of New Zealand in February and March next year, leaving his future as an international all-rounder in doubt.

The ECB statement confirmed Flintoff underwent keyhole surgery and added: "He will now undergo a period of rest and convalescence, followed by a rehabilitation program.

"It is anticipated that Andrew will be able to resume full training in the new year and following discussions between the ECB medical team, the England selectors and Andrew, it has been decided that the priority will be for him to regain full fitness ahead of England's domestic international program in 2008.

"Andrew will not be made available for this winter's Test series in Sri Lanka, and at this stage it is considered unlikely that he will participate in the tour of New Zealand."

Even if he should return for the home New Zealand series starting next May, Flintoff will not have played Test cricket for 16 months and may find it difficult to break his way back into an England side used to playing without him in their ranks.

Meanwhile, England lost the final match of the one-day series in Sri Lanka by 107 runs in Colombo on Saturday.

The tourists went into the game with an unassailable 3-1 lead, but were dismissed for 104 in 29.1 overs in reply to Sri Lanka's 211 all out in 48.1 overs.

Seamer Dilhara Fernando claimed a career-best 6-27 as England slipped from 72-3, losing seven wickets for 15 runs in only 40 balls.

Key batsman Kevin Pietersen had compiled 28 from 26 deliveries, including three successive boundaries off Chaminda Vaas. But the left-armer had the last laugh when he bowled Pietersen around his legs.

Chamara Silva earlier top-scored for Sri Lanka with 73 off 109 deliveries after opener Sanath Jayasuriya had given the hosts a lightning start.

The veteran batsman smashed 26 off 18 balls, including two sixes over mid-wicket off seamer James Anderson, who earned revenge when Pietersen took a catch at mid-off soon after.

Ryan Sidebottom pegged back the early onslaught with two quick wickets, while fellow seamer Stuart Broad finished with 3-36 as the England bowlers toiled hard. E-mail to a friend