Andrew Flintoff is set to miss England's forthcoming one-day series against New Zealand as he continues his recovery from a side strain. England will announce its squad for the series on Friday, ahead of one Twenty20 international and five One-Day Internationals starting at Old Trafford on June 13. It is hoping to include the 30-year-old in its plans after he was ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand with the side strain. But Flintoff admitted he is only halfway through a six-week recovery program which would effectively rule him out for the whole of the one-day series. “I don't know the exact dates of the one-day series but I've still got a few weeks before I'm fit so I'm not sure what the chances are of me being fit for that. I saw Geoff Miller and Peter Moores last week and they're not going to rush me back,” Flintoff said. “I've not got a fixed date yet on when I can play and I think I'll know more once I start doing more running and then get back into the cricket again. “These things have a history of taking six weeks and it will be three weeks on Thursday since I did it.” Flintoff could still be fit for the opening Test against South Africa at Lord's starting on July 11, which could be his first Test appearance for 18 months. Vettori grateful for time New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes the fixture schedule can help his side level its Test series with England after a deflating six-wicket defeat here at Old Trafford. This clash followed on just days after the drawn first Test at Lord's. But the final match of this three-Test series doesn't get underway until June 5 at Trent Bridge. Between now and then New Zealand have a three-day tour match against Northamptonshire, starting on Friday. Vettori hopes this will give his side a chance to lick their wounds whilst allowing the likes of middle-order batsman Daniel Flynn, who played no further part at Old Trafford after being hit on the head by a James Anderson bouncer on the first day, an opportunity for time in the middle. “We are lucky we do have that warm-up game,” Vettori told reporters after England had won a match.
