Flintoff flies home for knee surgery

Durban,Andrew Flintoff's stint with Chennai Super Kings has been cut short as the England all-rounder has flown back home to undergo a knee surgery.
After Flintoff complained of discomfort in his right knee, the team's medical staff immediately contacted England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief medical officer Nick Peirce.

"Scans of his right knee revealed a slight medial meniscal tear in the knee and it was decided that Flintoff should return to London," ECB said in a statement.

He will undergo an operation early next week and surgeons are confident that he should recover from the keyhole surgery within three to five weeks.

Super Kings face Kolkata Knight Riders in Saturday's double-header here.

Super Kings had shelled out a record sum of $1.55 million to rope in Flintoff, who had committed to play in Indian Premier League till the end of this month before England's home series against the West Indies.

"He is certain to miss the Test series against the West Indies now. But having the surgery now means that Flintoff should be available for the T20 World Cup and Ashes," said Hugh Morris, England Cricket managing director.

Peirce added: "Clearly this is a huge disappointment for both the player and the IPL team. This sort of degenerative injury though is one that could have happened at any time anywhere."