All-rounder Andrew Flintoff has given England a fitness boost ahead of the Ashes after returning to action with Lancashire.
Flintoff back in action for Lancashire
All-rounder Andrew Flintoff has given England a fitness boost ahead of the Ashes after returning to action with Lancashire.
Flintoff has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a slight cartilage tear in his right knee almost six weeks ago.
The injury forced Flintoff to miss the ICC World Twenty20 and put his involvement in the Ashes series in doubt.
However the 31-year-old stepped up his rehab with some bowling sessions during Lancashire's county game with Somerset.
And he will now take to field for the first time this season for the County Championship clash against Durham at Chester-le-Street - a week ahead of schedule.
"It's great to have him fit, so obviously he plays in our team. He's looking forward to playing for Lancashire," county captain Glen Chapple told
Sky Sports News.
"He had a couple of injuries last year as well so he's really keen to go out and play cricket.
"If he's fit, he gets in our best team - so he's playing."
England selectors and fans alike will now be monitoring how Flntoff progresses closely with the Ashes set to take place on July 8.
Flintoff, a member of the victorious 2005 team, has always remained confident, though, that he would be fit for the first Test at Cardiff.
