Flintoff gets Watkinson backing

Andrew Flintoff has impressed Mike Watkinson with his recent batting form

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Andrew Flintoff is in good enough form with the bat to play his first Test for 18 months, according to Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson.

The all-rounder is pushing for a place in the England side for the second npower Test against South Africa Headingley Carnegie after being named in a 12-man squad.

He has not featured for his country in the longer form of the game since the final Ashes Test in Australia last January, and has struggled for runs for much of the domestic season.

But Watkinson, who has overseen Flintoff’s return to fitness at county level this summer following an ankle operation and a subsequent side problem, is convinced the 30-year-old can make a mark against the Proteas.

“The last three or four knocks he’s had for us have been pretty decent,” said Watkinson, who saw Flintoff hit an unbeaten 39 off just 23 balls to help wrap up victory over Hampshire in the LV County Championship yesterday.

Though he failed in the first innings at the Rose Bowl, Flintoff struck 53 in the Twenty20 Cup against Middlesex last week and 62 not out in Lancashire’s previous championship outing, against Sussex.

“He’s struck the ball well and in good areas, which is the Freddie batting that we remember,” added Watkinson.

“His batting has probably suffered more than any other part of his game because of the long lay-off away from Test cricket and being in and out of county cricket.

Flintoff's simple approach to bowling will stand him in good stead with England, according to Watkinson

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“The rhythm of building an innings, the confidence you get from having a run of big scores behind you - that’s the area of his game that’s just taken him that bit longer to sort out.

“Technically, he’s fine with a bat in his hand and he’s hit the ball quite cleanly in his last few knocks, so let’s hope a big knock is around the corner.”

Attention is certain to be focused on Flintoff if he plays at Headingley, but Watkinson is confident he can overcome it and concentrate on the task facing him against South Africa.

“Whenever he plays a game of any description there’s always a lot of interest around him because people know exactly what he’s capable of,” said Watkinson.

“No matter what level he plays at, people are looking for special things from him because he’s big, he’s strong, he can bowl at 90mph and hit the ball out of any ground when he gets hold of it.

“People look for those special things but his bowling game is based around simple plans and I’m sure whatever role they give him with the ball he’ll be able to cope with that.”

He added: “He just loves playing for his country and while he also enjoys his spells with Lancashire.

“I think playing on the international stage is what he’s geared up for and I think he’s raring to go to get back in there.”