SYDNEY - All-rounder Andrew Flintoff will return home from England's troubled cricket tour of Australia after failing to overcome a groin injury.

The 25-year-old underwent a double hernia operation in September and despite playing England's three one-day warm-up matches, he failed to prove his fitness.

Flintoff will return home to work with the England Cricket Board's chief medical officer in a bid to regain his fitness in time for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Flintoff has had numerous scans in Australia but experts have failed to pinpoint what is wrong.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.