Hollioake set for England call

SYDNEY, Dec 12 AAP - Adam Hollioake is on the verge of an England recall today after Andrew Flintoff became the latest casualty on a tour that has been ravaged and ruined by injury.

Coach Duncan Fletcher confirmed the burly all-rounder was to become the fifth England player to be sent home after after his recuperation from a double hernia operation stalled.

Hollioake was last week named in England's 30-man provisional World Cup party, but has not played international cricket since the 1999 tournament.

"There is a very good chance that Adam Hollioake will be the immediate replacement," said Fletcher.

"He is in Perth. I just want to confirm that with the convenor of selectors. It will just be for the one-day squad."

Having taken the early months of the 2002 county season off following the death of his brother and England teammate Ben in a car crash, Adam Hollioake returned to the game with a new outlook.

The already combative and energetic all-rounder, who captained the England one-day side in 14 of his 35 appearances, played with a zest and boldness that had for so long been associated with his younger brother.

He captained Surrey to the County Championship and, in nine first-class matches, Hollioake scored five fifties and two centuries, including a blistering 208.

He also registered an unbeaten limited overs century, while his bowling in the shortened game was devastating.

Of those who bowled 30 overs of more in the season, only Ian Harvey and South African captain Shaun Pollock had a better average than Hollioake's 14.86 and best return of 5-43.

So, after two months of England largely settling for Academy recruits to replace the stricken tourists, Hollioake actually appears to be the ideal man to replace the big-hitting Flintoff.

Despite numerous X-rays, MRI and CT scans during Flintoff's ill-fated stay in Australia, the medics still cannot ascertain why he remains in pain.

Flintoff will follow Darren Gough, Simon Jones, Ashley Giles and Chris Silverwood to England in the coming days, where he will work with a specialist medical officer already appointed by the ECB.

"We've had a very, very difficult decision to make over the last 48 hours. It's very disappointing for Andrew and also for the England set-up," said Fletcher.

"Andrew's going to go back to the UK to try and get this injury sorted out, hopefully for the World Cup.

"He's making no progress at the moment. I've been in touch with Lord's and it was agreed this was the right decision for England and Andrew."

Flintoff was given a final chance to prove his fitness during England's three one-day warm-up matches, but he struggled to bowl spells longer than three or four overs.

The 25-year-old defended himself against criticisms from ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin, who claimed last week the Lancastrian had not taken his recuperation seriously.

"Going home isn't something I thought I would be doing, but I can go home and see the medical officer and do whatever he says and get ready for the World Cup and get 100 per cent fit," he said.

"I've done my rehab and done everything that was asked of me."