Rain delays Flintoff return

Andrew Flintoff waits in vain for play to start on the first day

Andrew Flintoff’s long-awaited comeback from injury has been put on hold after the first day of Lancashire’s second XI clash with Derbyshire was written off by the weather.

With play due to start at Blackpool at 11am on Tuesday, officials arrived to a waterlogged outfield and puddles on the wicket itself.

After a brief inspection, the first day of the three-day championship match was abandoned.

England all-rounder Flintoff, 29, endured his third bout of ankle surgery earlier this summer after feeling discomfort during the LV County Championship match against Hampshire in May.

As a result of the operation, he missed the Test and one-day clashes with West Indies and admitted he is unlikely to feature in the current Test series with India.

Flintoff was more bullish about his chances of featuring in the NatWest Series against India which starts on August 21.

Flintoff is due to play in the second XI game as a specialist batsman.

Lancashire have confirmed there will be a further inspection on Wednesday morning to see if the second day can go ahead as planned.