Flintoff impresses with bat
Andrew Flintoff found form with the bat by hitting a half-century for Lancashire in the Pro Arabian Cricket Challenge - but he could not prevent a 41-run defeat to Yorkshire.
Coming to the crease with Lancashire wobbling at 59 for three in the first Roses match to take place outside the boundaries of either county, Flintoff struck powerfully down the ground throughout to keep his side in the hunt for the 238-run target.
For Flintoff, captaining the side in the absence of the resting Stuart Law, it represented his highest score in any cricket since making 61 against Hampshire in the County Championship last May.
But he was bowled by Ajmal Shahzad aiming to leg, moments after bringing up his half-century with his sixth boundary, a powerful extra-cover drive off left-arm spinner David Wainwright.
That left Lancashire 154 for six and, although Glen Chapple equalled Flintoff’s 51 off 62 balls, including a towering six over midwicket to reach his landmark, Yorkshire closed the game out impressively.
Wainwright picked up three wickets at the death, including Chapple stumped, as Lancashire lost their first match in the Pro ARCH tournament by 41 runs.
Earlier, Flintoff claimed one success with the ball as he continues his recovery from a fourth operation on his left ankle.
It came during an initial three-over spell at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium when left-hander Andrew Gale was brilliantly caught by a diving Tom Smith, one-handed at second slip.
Anthony McGrath top-scored for Yorkshire © Getty ImagesBuy this photo The England all-rounder took himself out of the attack after a burst of 3-0-11-1, and just as in the comprehensive victory over Sussex on Wednesday, worked up a brisk pace.
Although he returned towards the death, it was a short-lived affair as his only other over cost 11 runs.
But Flintoff and England, in particular, will be pleased he got through his first stock of bowling since last September unscathed.
Stand-in captain Anthony McGrath top-scored for Yorkshire, hitting 41 before top-edging a slog-sweep off leg-spinner Simon Marshall, who finished with four wickets.
Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan is urging England to be patient and wait for the full recovery of Flintoff following his first competitive bowl since September.
The England captain was delighted to hear that Flintoff had bowled in Lancashire’s victory over Sussex in Dubai, claiming 2-9 in five overs during a pre-season tournament game.
It was the first time 30-year-old Flintoff had bowled competitively since undergoing a fourth operation on his troublesome left ankle during the autumn, and immediately prompted speculation he would be available for the start of this summer’s Test series against New Zealand in May.
But Vaughan is urging everyone to be patient and allow Flintoff to recover at his own rate, stressing: “It’s encouraging - it’s good to see him back playing - batting and bowling, but he’ll be the first to say there’s still a long way to go.
“His real test will come when he starts bowling in four-day cricket and days after days. Hopefully he’ll come through that but it is promising to see him back on the park.
“We just want him back fit and like the Freddie of old and, however long that takes, I’m sure he’ll be given that time.
"It’s promising to see him back but we shouldn’t get too excited because there’s still a long way to go to prove whether he’s ready for Test match cricket.”
Andrew Flintoff scored 51 in Lancashire's 41-run defeat