Flintoff continues comeback from injury

Andrew Flintoff came through the latest stage of his recovery from left ankle surgery by batting in Lancashire's 63-run win over Essex in the pre-season Pro Arch Series in Sharjah.

The 30 year-old all-rounder impressed during his innings of 39 in 51 balls which included boundaries.

Flintoff looked good on both sides of the wicket during his innings at the venue where he made his one-day international debut for England against Pakistan in 1999.

He looked particularly strong straight down the ground and hit two searing boundaries back past the bowler before he was finally bowled by Ryan ten Doeschate in the 41st over.

Flintoff is now expected to move to the next stage of recovery from a fourth operation last October by bowling in a match situation against either Sussex or Yorkshire on Wednesday or Friday at Abu Dhabi.