Flintoff released for Lancashire

Old Trafford bound: Andrew Flintoff is heading back to Lancashire, but just as a batsman © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff has been released to play for Lancashire in Sunday's Friends Provident match against Yorkshire at Old Trafford. He was ruled out of the first Test against West Indies with a recurrence of his ankle problem and will only line-up as a batsman.

Flintoff felt pain after bowling nine overs against Hampshire last week and England left it until the first morning of the Test to rule him out. There is a fear that given the concentrated nature of the series - four Tests in four weeks - that he could miss all the matches.

However, Peter Moores wouldn't have released him if there were major concerns over his long-term fitness and the match will show whether Flintoff can handle a match in the field and his role as a batsman. His condition will be reassessed before the second Test at Headingley, which starts on May 25.

Given the form of England's top order it is unlikely Flintoff will force himself into the England side while he is unable to bowl. During his last comeback from injury, in the Champions Trophy, he played as a specialist batsman for the first two matches and has performed the role in other one-day internationals but never in Tests.