Flintoff glad to be back

All-rounder savours return to action for England at Headingley

Last updated: 18th July 2008

andrew flintoff

Flintoff: Back in action

I've waited a long time because of the lay-off but having got through the first ball I got a bit of a cheer from the Western Terrace and was disappointed to get out

Andrew Flintoff
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Andrew Flintoff enjoyed his return to action at Headingley in the second Test against South Africa, despite making only 17 runs.

The all-rounder has not featured since the final match of the last ill-fated Ashes tour, when an England side he captained suffered a 5-0 series whitewash.

Making his Test return after an 18-month absence, Flintoff couldn't stop the home side being bowled out for 203.

However, he showed his abilties with the ball when he removed South Africa skipper Graeme Smith as the visitors reached 101-3 at the close.

Start

"We'd like to have scored a few more runs but I enjoyed being back in the side," Flintoff told Sky Sports.

"It's a start today - we've got the first innings and the first day out of the way and I'll continue to enjoy it.

"Tomorrow morning will be crucial - we would have liked a bit more cloud cover this evening."

"I was a little bit nervous this morning," the Lancashire man admitted.

"I've waited a long time because of the lay-off but having got through the first ball I got a bit of a cheer from the Western Terrace and was disappointed to get out.

"The Western Terrace get behind the England side and it helps when you're out in the middle.

"South Africa bowled well but I thought we stuck in there well tonight. I've had some good tussles with Smith and it was nice to get him out."

Late drama

Flintoff also thought he had Hashim Amla before the close, but the right-hander was called back over confusion as to whether a catch had carried to Vaughan at mid-off.

Asked for his thoughts on the incident, which was eventually given not out by the third umpire, Flintoff added: "Michael threw it up thinking he'd taken the catch, it was referred and the decision went against us.

"You can't blame Amla for walking back - the decision was made and you've got to get on with it."