Caddick ruled out of first two Tests

Andy Caddick has been ruled out of the Test series against Zimbabwe after sustaining ligament damage in his right foot.

Caddick, England's leading wicket-taker in last winter's Ashes series, had retired from one-day cricket after the World Cup in order to concentrate on Tests. But after seeing a specialist this morning, he is likely to be ruled out of all forms of cricket for up to six weeks, after being diagnosed as having damaged ligaments in the arch of his right foot.

Andy Caddick: out for two Tests

The chief medical officer of the England & Wales Cricket Board, Dr Peter Gregory, said: "We will re-assess Andy's condition again in the near future but at this stage we anticipate, that with rest, he should be fit and available for the npower Test Series against South Africa." Caddick has been advised to wear a protective surgical boot for up to six weeks to help overcome the problem.

Caddick is not the only England player with fitness problems. Andrew Flintoff recently suffered a trapped nerve in his right shoulder and was ruled out of Lancashire's latest Championship match against Essex. "At this stage there is a slim chance that Andrew will be available for the first Test," added Gregory. "We will have a clearer idea once we have had an opportunity to assess the results of the tests he underwent earlier today."

But Caddick's absence will leave England's selectors with the biggest dilemma when they gather on Saturday to select their squad for the first Test at Lord's, which starts on Thursday. James Anderson is now likely to take the new ball with Stephen Harmison, both of whom were awarded England central contracts last month, but their lack of Test experience is a worry.

Matthew Hoggard and Alex Tudor, both of whom played during the winter, are among the likely candidates to take Caddick's place, but there is the outside chance that England could turn to Darren Gough, whose recovery from a chronic knee condition has been one of the highlights of the early season.