Flintoff taken for X-rays on wrist injury

In dropping a return catch chance, Flintoff was struck on the right wrist by a straight drive from Ponting during 3rd ODI.

England all rounder Andrew Flintoff was taken to hospital for a precautionary X-ray examination after he suffered a wrist injury in the World XI's third one-day international against Australia on Sunday.

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In dropping a sharp caught and bowled chance, Flintoff was struck on the right wrist by a straight drive from Ricky Ponting on the second ball of his fifth over, with the Australian captain on 41.

Pointing had smashed a six off Flintoff's previous delivery.

The 27-year-old Flintoff received treatment on the field for several minutes before he was taken off and treated with an ice pack, team officials said.

He was initially expected to return to the field, but officials said later that Flintoff had been taken to an inner-city Melbourne hospital for checks.

Ashes man-of-the-series Flintoff is also in the World XI squad to play Australia in a six-day test starting on Friday in Sydney and in England's squad for their tour of Pakistan starting later this month.