Flintoff Set to Make Comeback With England Lions

Andrew Flintoff will continue his rehabilitation from ankle surgery tomorrow when he plays for England Lions in a one-day game against Mumbai at the Cricket Club of India.

The all-rounder, who has not played for four months, will feature as a batsman only and will not bowl. Flintoff has been working with England's second string during their Indian tour but was not expected to play in a game until next month when he joins up with Lancashire.

His progress has been encouraging and team management have no qualms about pitching him into a competitive environment. He is yet to bowl since the operation, however, and will not start to do so until he returns to the Old Trafford indoor school in March.

"It will be great to play again. Everything has been going well but you can only do so much net practice. I'm ready for a match," Flintoff said. "I'll be playing as a batsman and fielder and I think I'll be batting at No5. I won't be bowling. In fact, I haven't bowled a ball yet since the operation. I'm still taking things steadily on that score.

"My time with the Lions has been brilliant. It's great to be around a cricket team again and they are a terrific bunch of lads. People shouldn't expect too much from me in terms of scoring lots of runs, although it would be nice."