Date:19/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/19/stories/2008021956441800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Flintoff all set to return

Mumbai: Andrew Flintoff is almost certain to return to action after four months, the first time since he played in the ICC Twenty20 competition in South Africa.

He is likely to play for England Lions as a batsman in the one-day cricket match against a select Mumbai XI at the Brabourne Stadium, Cricket Club of India, on Tuesday.

Undergoing a rehabilitation programme to mend his ankle, Flintoff joined the Lions squad on February 10, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said he would not take part in the Duleep Trophy match against West Zone.

The team management decided to include him in the squad after left-arm spinner Monty Panesar left for New Zealand for the Test series.

Flintoff will extend his stay in Mumbai — with the Lancashire County team — for four days.

Eight to nine players each from the Lancashire and Glamorgan teams arrived here on Monday for a pre-season clinic organised by the Global Cricket School.

“Well, he has been included in the squad now and there is a possibility he may play a couple of matches,” Mark Ward, Sponsorship PR and Media Relations Manager, ECB, said. — Special Correspondent