Flintoff plans England comeback

Andrew Flintoff is hoping for an England recall after a successful return to first-class cricket.

The Lancashire all-rounder is planning a Test comeback against New Zealand at Lord's next month after scoring respectable figures of 28-6-72-1 in the County Championship draw with Surrey.

Flintoff said he hopes his return after a fourth operation on his left ankle will be permanent.

But the 30-year-old will need to score some runs to persuade the selectors he is ready to step up to Test level after being absent since the 2006-07 Ashes.

On Friday he managed just 23 before perishing to spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

Flintoff said: "It was my first knock outside in England for a while."

He added: "I started off alright, got a few out of the middle, was perhaps a little bit anxious and got a half-decent ball from Saqlain, a doosra, which I went pretty hard at, and just passed it to slip.

"I would love to be involved on May 15, there is obviously no change there, but I know I have to perform.

"It's nice to get 28 overs under my belt and bowl quite nicely but I have to score some runs as well, which I am working hard to do and fully aware of."

"From a fitness point of view I thought I kept my pace up all the way through my spells, maybe there is a little bit more in there but not a great deal.

"I have always been confident coming back but when you've had four operations you have a bit more knowledge about your ankle.

"I just turned up here to play a game of cricket under no concern about how my fitness was going to be."

Flintoff said he will probably be on a rehab programme for the rest of his career to keep his problem ankle healthy.

England captain Michael Vaughan has offered his support to Flintoff's international return at the soonest possible opportunity.

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