England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff passed a fitness test on Monday and will rejoin the one-day squad in Australia, the ECB said. The news is a welcome boost for England, who lost to Sri Lanka by 31 runs in the triangular one-day series with Australia on Monday. It comes a month before their World Cup campaign is scheduled to begin against Zimbabwe in Harare.The 25 year-old was sent home from England’s tour of Australia in December due to groin problems which persisted after a double hernia operation, capping a series of injury troubles that badly hit the England team which lost the Ashes series 4-1.However, chairman of selectors David Graveney said in a statement on Monday that Flintoff was now fully fit.“Flintoff has undergone a rigorous fitness test designed to simulate the pressures he would face in a real match,” Graveney said. “He will need time to acclimatise and get used to bowling outdoors again when he arrives in Australia, but once that process is complete, we anticipate that he will be available for selection immediately,” Graveney added.Flintoff will fly to Australia on Tuesday, before England’s next one-day match against Sri Lanka on January 17. England play Australia on January 19.
