ECB may stop Flintoff IPL stint

Flintoff went for a record $1.55m (£1.1m) by Chennai Super Kings

Andrew Flintoff could be prevented from playing in the Indian Premier League by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on fitness grounds.

Flintoff is currently sidelined by a hip injury and, if he plays in the IPL, could aggravate any problem and jeopardise his impact in the Ashes.

ECB chief executive David Collier told Radio 5 Live: "We would need to review it, obviously this has just happened.

"But there are injury provisions in both sides of the contracts."

All-rounder Flintoff is set to play for Chennai Super Kings in April ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes series later this summer.

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"We'd be concerned if any player was carrying an injury that may affect his participation in the Ashes series and we'll look at that as we move forward," said Collier.

The ECB has allowed Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood to play for a maximum three weeks of the six-week IPL season, while Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah have also been signed up to play in India.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting and batsman Michael Clarke have already pulled out of this year's IPL to concentrate on their side's congested national team calendar.

Asked if the ECB could stop Flintoff playing, Collier said: "There are medical clauses.

"The IPL are very responsible in that area and we have very, very strong relationships with Chennai. Andrew's own team will also be looking at the injury prognosis."