LANCASHIRE all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's hopes of featuring in the remainder of the Ashes series are still alive after being given the all-clear following a scan today.

The Lancashire vice-captain was sent for an MRI scan today, his second this week, to determine whether he had sustained any soft tissue damage after struggling during a 20-minute bowling spell at the Bellerive Oval in preparation for Friday's three-day game against Australia A.

He bowled at nothing like full pace, prompting England's management to send him to a local hospital for a further scan only four days after his last check as he continues his recovery from an August hernia operation.

But the scan has come back clear and he was named in a 12-man squad for Friday's game knowing that if he fails to make the starting XI, he is unlikely to be considered for the back-to-back Tests at Adelaide and Perth which follow.