White faces race against time

White was in good form before his injury

England's 33-year-old all-rounder Craig White has been set a deadline of 4 February to prove his fitness for the World Cup.

He had hoped to be back for the finals of the triangular tournament in Australia, where England are poised to play against the hosts.

But his side strain has not cleared up quickly enough.

England are due to play their first World Cup warm-up match against Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth on 4 February.

If he is not fit for the very first warm-up game we will have to look at changing it

Duncan Fletcher
England coach

If White has failed to get fit for that, he may be replaced in the 15-man squad.

"Craig White is the one that we have to have a real look at," said coach Duncan Fletcher.

"He has had enough cricket this winter but his injury has to be reassessed and we will have to follow his progress.

"The worst scenario is that we will take him to South Africa and if he is not fit for the very first warm-up game we will have to look at changing it."

Surrey captain Adam Hollioake would be the favourite to step into White's shoes if the Yorkshire star is unable to get fit in time.

Flintoff

England hope to have Andrew Flintoff (hernia) and Ashley Giles (broken wrist) in peak condition by that same stage.

Flintoff is taking an astonishingly long time to recover from a hernia operation last August.

Both Flintoff and Giles played for the Academy against England Under-19 on Friday.

They are due to feature in a four-day match for the same side beginning on Monday.

Meanwhile, Steve Harmison will undergo an MRI scan on Monday after twisting an ankle in another poor display on Friday.