Flintoff, Harmison unlikely for Test series, say reports

London: England allrounder Andrew Flintoff and fast bowler Steve Harmison are unlikely to return to India for the Test series, claims a report in the Telegraph.

The England team abandoned its seven-match one-day series and headed back home in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Mumbai, which left more than 200 dead and several others injured.

With worried looks on their faces, England captain Kevin Pietersen and his boys returned home on Saturday, and are most likely expected to be asked to return to India for the Test series.

A security assessment will be carried out in the next 48 hours, and a decision on the future of the Test series made, but it looks more likely that the Test series will be cleared.

'Following the terrorist attacks on Bombay (Mumbai), Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff, and perhaps another bowler in the squad of 15, are expected to pull out in the next two days, citing their children and wives as their prime consideration,' wrote Scyld Berry in the Telegraph, after speaking to a member close to the England team.

Though managing director of the England team Hugh Morris confirmed that players will not be forced to tour India, it will be a severe blow for England if Flintoff, perhaps England's best bowler in Indian conditions, and Harmison do not travel to India for the Test series.

Further, the report also said the ECB were contemplating practicing in one of the Gulf countries - either Dubai or more probably Abu Dhabi, and then fly directly from there to Ahmedabad for the first Test. They had originally been scheduled to play a three-day warm-up game in Baroda beginning on Friday, but that now looks unlikely.