Flintoff steps up recovery

Andrew Flintoff returned with no problems in his left ankle

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff made a successful return to bowling as his rehabilitation from ankle surgery intensified at the Pro Arabian Cricket Challenge.

Flintoff marked his first action with ball in hand for six months by claiming a couple of wickets in the 109-run victory over Sussex at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

A double success in his opening three-over burst was followed by a return late in the innings as the 30-year-old, operating at a decent pace, finished with figures of 5-1-9-2.

It was Flintoff’s first bowl in a competitive match since England’s defeat by India in the ICC World Twenty20 Championship in Durban on September 19 last year.

“This is his first pre-season for a while,” said Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson. “Everything has been full match intensity all the time in previous comebacks.

“I suppose he’s bowling at 70% at the moment - he’s not supposed to be anything like 100% - but his rhythm is good, his confidence is good and it all looks fluid.

Mike Watkinson hopes Flintoff can play in Lancashire's first County Championship match

“The thing that helps here is that he’s not building up to anything in particular - there’s no deadline.

“We’re just looking to play him as an all-rounder in our first LV County Championship match this season and then let’s build on that.”

There have been initial talks between the England set-up and Lancashire with a view to Flintoff playing for the MCC against Sussex at Lord’s in a four-day match starting on April 10.

But with Lancashire’s first LV County Championship fixture beginning the following week there will be inevitable concerns over the scheduling, and eight days of competitive cricket in 10 might be too many at that stage of his recuperation.

“Discussions will probably take place when we get home as to the best value for him, whether he can play both games,” said Watkinson. “We’ll have to check about that.

“We’ll have to decide the best way to stagger his workload to give him the overs he needs for recovery. We don’t want him bowling every day of the week.”