LONDON (AP):

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was ruled out of next month's World Twenty20 tournament yesterday because he has not fully recovered from knee surgery.

The England and Wales Cricket Board had expected Flintoff to get over last month's operation on a meniscus tear to his right knee, but has now called up Adil Rashid to replace him.

Pull out

The 31-year-old Flintoff had the surgery after he pulled out of the Indian Premier League, where he had tied with England teammate Kevin Pietersen as the most costly players in the pre-tournament auction.

The injury already ruled him out of England's recent Test and one-day series wins over West Indies.

The ECB must now decide whether to gamble on his form and fitness for the Ashes series against Australia, which starts in July. Flintoff will only have games for county side Lancashire in which to earn a place.

Always optimistic

"We had to name Andrew in the ICC World Twenty20 15 because we hoped he would be fit," national selector Geoff Miller said, "but in reality the timescale was always optimistic.

"We have now obtained permission from ICC to name Yorkshire's Adil Rashid as a replacement. There is a lot of cricket still to play this year and it is important Andrew is fully fit for it."