England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of Thursday's first Test against Zimbabwe at Lord's after failing a fitness test on his injured shoulder.

The burly Lancashire player, whose career has been constantly hampered by injuries, suffered bruising and swelling around nerves in his right shoulder after being hit by the ball while batting for his county last week.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said on Tuesday that the injury affected Flintoff's bowling arm and hand and that he was unable to complete a practice session.

Yorkshire pace bowler Matthew Hoggard is still hoping to overcome an abdominal strain in time to play and England officials have given him more time to prove his fitness.

Uncapped Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath is in line to replace Flintoff while James Kirtley of Sussex could also win his first Test cap as England go into the match with one of their most inexperienced attacks for many years.

England are playing two Tests against Zimbabwe followed by a full five-Test series against South Africa.