Flintoff flogs century in comeback match

Andrew Flintoff has wasted no time in getting back into the groove after his successful ankle surgery, and he demonstrated his returning fitness in fine style at Old Trafford on Monday, by pasting Lancashire's bowlers to all corners of the ground in a full-scale practice match.

Flintoff, who flew home early from England's tour of South Africa in January, has only been back in the nets for a week, but by smashing 119 from 99 balls, he showed that his eye is firmly on the ball. Coming in at No. 4 for Mark Chilton's XI against Stuart Law's XI, he played himself in with three maidens, and then flogged an unsuspecting attack for seven sixes.

There were roughly 20 members of the Lancashire staff in the ground to witness the fireworks, although Lancashire's coach, Mike Watkinson, did his best to play down the inevitable expectations that accompany Flintoff's every move at the moment. "He's playing purely as a specialist batsman," Watkinson told The Guardian. "He won't be bowling or fielding, and he was only jogging between the wickets. But he wants to get as much high-quality cricket practice as possible."

Nevertheless, it was Flintoff's first proper innings for three months, and it showcased the time and effort that he has put into his rehabilitation. Under the supervision of the former England physio, Dave Roberts, Flintoff has been on a rigorous training programme, and was even compelled to forego his honeymoon to maximise his chances of playing against Australia.