ENGLAND'S Ashes hopes have been rocked by the loss of spinner Ashley Giles and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

Giles has been ruled out for six weeks after suffering a fractured wrist while Flintoff will miss the next two Tests after falling to prove his fitness from a summer hernia operation.

Hampshire batsman John Crawley, who sustained a bruised right hip during this week's draw with Australia A in Hobart, gave England some better news by successfully coming through today's net session.

Giles was struck on the wrist by Durham fast bowler Steve Harmison in the nets at the Adelaide Oval today and although he completed his practice, he was sent for an X-ray later when he complained of soreness.

Flintoff played in England's drawn match with Australia A in Hobart this week with a view to persuading England's management he had now fully recovered from the effects of the surgery which had previously restricted him to only one match so far on the tour.

His performance in Tasmania was scratchy, claiming 0-62 from 10 overs and scoring only 16 runs in two innings, but, more importantly, he never looked fit enough to withstand the rigours of a Test match against Australia.

That was the conclusion drawn today when captain Nasser Hussain, who returned this morning from Perth after witnessing the birth of second son Joel the previous evening and reported straight to coach Duncan Fletcher to receive the latest medical bulletin.

"Our general opinion is that Andrew is not fit enough to play a Test match," explained Hussain during today's nets session at the Adelaide Oval.