England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has admitted his recovery from a double hernia operation is taking longer than he expected. Flintoff, 24, flies to Australia tomorrow with the England Ashes squad. He is still hoping to be fit in time for the first Test on November 7, but is not yet able to run.

The Lancashire all-rounder told The Sun: "There's no question that my recovery is taking longer than I had expected. I was hoping to be able to bowl flat out as soon as the team arrived in Australia.

"As it is, the operation was more than six weeks ago and I'm not yet able to run. The pounding of running would be too much at this stage. I can row, cycle and swim, as well as do weights, and I've been working very hard on those things in the gym."

Flintoff is anxious not to delay his recovery by rushing back too soon for such an important series.

"As a lad, I used to dream about playing in an Ashes series and the World Cup. We have both of them in the space of a few months - it is a massive winter. If I rush back, it could put me out for the whole Ashes series or even the World Cup.

"So I don't intend taking any risks. If necessary, I will aim to be fit for the second Test in Adelaide on November 21."

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