Flintoff pleased with progress

Andrew Flintoff has played two Twenty20 games for Lancashire in his comeback © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff was delighted with his "best workout yet" after a thorough net session at Lord's on Friday to test out his ankle. Flintoff spent an hour in the nets at the Nursery End while his team-mates piled on the runs against Pakistan during the first Test.

Flintoff, whose recovery from an ankle problem has so far seen him play two Twenty20 matches for Lancashire, was monitored by the county physio Dave Roberts and Dr Peter Gregory, the ECB's chief medical officer. He produced a lively spell pf pace then batted against members of the Lord's groundstaff for half an hour.

"I bowled six overs so it was my best workout yet and I'm not creaking or anything," said Flintoff, who is now due to feature for Lancashire in their County Championship match against Kent at Canterbury starting on Tuesday. "I've played two Twenty20 matches with Lancashire, bowled three overs and two overs so far, but I wasn't bowling at full pelt today - I've still got something else remaining to give.

"I've had two tough days last week running up and down hills and it's all been building up towards bowling and geared towards playing at Canterbury."

But Flintoff, who England hope will be their captain in the second Test at his Old Trafford home ground on July 27, warned: "I'm not going to get ahead of myself about my fitness for the second Test because I can't be sure until I've bowled in a four-day match.

"This is all part of the recovery and the fitness work. I'm going to have another net and practice with the England lads again tomorrow."