Flintoff and Anderson prove their fitness

England XI 295 for 8 (Dalrymple 79*, Flintoff 59, Bell 53) beat Rajasthan CA 151 (Mahmood 3-22) by 144 runs
Scorecard

Andrew Flintoff collects runs during his comeback innings of 59 © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff demonstrated that his lengthy injury lay-off has not affected his eye for a cricket ball, as he smacked a brisk half-century from No. 3 to put England on course for a comfortable victory in their warm-up match against a Rajasthan Cricket Association XI at Jaipur.

Flintoff, back in the international fold after recuperating from ankle surgery, made 59 from 53 balls as England amassed a healthy total of 295 for 8 in their 50 overs. Ian Bell was also in the runs, making 53 from 47 balls in a second-wicket stand of exactly 100, while Jamie Dalrymple once again displayed his impressive temperament, racking up a quickfire 79 not out from 69 balls in the closing overs.

But despite his success with the bat, Flintoff confirmed afterwards that he would not be rushing back to action with the ball, when England take on India in their opening match on Sunday.

"I won't be bowling this Sunday," said Flintoff. "As for the series, I'm bowling in the nets, trying to build [the ankle] up. As for an exact date as to when I'll be bowling again, I'm not sure. I've bowled two or three times in the nets and it's feeling strong but that's something that we're assessing day by day."

Flintoff was not missed with the ball in this game. Though Andrew Strauss fell early, caught behind off S Gehlot for 1, his team-mates were never much troubled by the Rajasthan attack, with most of the key batsmen getting some useful time in the middle. Kevin Pietersen made 20 from 30 balls, while Michael Yardy chipped in with a useful 44.

England's reply with the ball was equally emphatic, with James Anderson proving his fitness in a fine new-ball burst. He had both openers caught behind for 5 and 7 respectively, leaving the way clear for his colleagues to rumble through the middle order.

Sajid Mahmood bowled with venom to take 3 for 22 in 5.2 overs, and at 82 for 7 after 20 overs, it was clear which way the match was headed. Even so, England were held up by Rajasthan's lower order, with Sidhart Joshi (38) and Afroz Khan (30) hanging around to delay the inevitable. Dalrymple capped his day with two late wickets before Mahmood returned to apply the coup de grace.