By IANS
London : England all rounder Andrew Flintoff will return to competitive cricket with Lancashire in a pre-season tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March, the English media reported here Thursday.
Flintoff’s last international match was against India in the Twenty20 World Championship in September. He pulled out of the England’s tour to India earlier this week due to his ankle injury.
But Lancashire officials were hopeful that the player would recover from his fourth operation on his injured ankle in time to play at the Pro ARCH Tournament involving Lancashire, Yorkshire, Essex, Somerset, Sussex and the UAE.
“His name has been pencilled in. I’m pretty sure it will be part of his rehabilitation. Obviously he’s a great addition to the side. It (Flintoff’s recovery) is still in the fairly early stages, but there’s still some time for him to give that ankle some rest.” Mal Loye, Flintoff’s Lancashire teammate, was quoted as saying by the Times here Monday.
Loye, who has played seven one-day internationals for England, said that Flintoff’s recovery is progressing. “He’s very positive after the operation,” Loye said.
Lancashire’s first match is against the UAE March 14.