Andrew Flintoff has been left out of the MCC side to face Sussex in the domestic season opener at Lord's next week.

England's selectors had made provision for Flintoff to play in the four-day match in his comeback from ankle surgery.

But his county Lancashire were concerned at the prospect of the 30-year-old playing in both the MCC game and a county championship fixture against Surrey at the Oval in the space of 10 days.


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Flintoff began bowling competitively, following a fourth operation on his left ankle, in the pre-season Arabian Cricket Challenge earlier this month, and the all-rounder will now step up his rehabilitation in Lancashire's friendly fixtures ahead of their start on April 16.

Middlesex's Ed Joyce, one of four players with international experience in the party, will captain the MCC side in the curtain raiser for the 2008 season.

Joyce's county colleague Owais Shah, who went on both England Test tours without playing this winter, is also included.

Another man with a point to prove is in the team, Ravi Bopara of Essex, with Yorkshire all-rounder Adil Rashid among several England Lions players to feature in the 12-man squad.

Joyce said: "It is an honour to be asked to captain the MCC team against Sussex and it's a match I'm greatly looking forward to.

"With the spotlight on this game it's a chance for all of the guys to get some early season form and make the England selectors sit up and take notice.

"There will be a lot of determined cricketers at Lord's and you can expect a very competitive match as a result."