Flintoff Returns to Help Lions to Victory

Andrew Flintoff suffered no ill-effects from his first competitive cricket in four months today after contributing three runs and a catch to England Lions' close-run win over Mumbai at the Cricket Club of India.

In his first match since ankle surgery Flintoff, who will not bowl until he returns to England, took a comfortable catch at slip before spending the latter half of the Mumbai innings grazing at mid-off and long leg.

Emerging to bat third-wicket down with England needing 80 to win, his contribution to the Lions' pursuit of 269, ultimately achieved courtesy of a Liam Plunkett six off the penultimate ball, ended after 12 deliveries when he drove left-arm spinner Ankit Chavan to cover.

Despite the failure with the bat, coach David Parsons said he was pleased to see Flintoff on the field. "It was good to see Fred back playing again," Parsons said. "It was unfortunate that when he went in we had a run-chase on and he didn't get many runs. But judging by the look on his face when he went out to bat, he was just happy to be out there again, and he came through without any problems."

England owed victory largely to the contribution of Hampshire opening batsman Michael Carberry, who made 103 despite suffering from cramp, and a crucial 22 not out off only 12 balls from the Yorkshire all-rounder Adil Rashid. The performances confirmed the good impression made by both on this tour.

Carberry was delighted with his second hundred of the trip. "I was really pleased to make three figures because I have identified one-day cricket as an area where I think I can do better and hopefully earn international recognition," he said. "It's every player's dream to represent their country and it's certainly mine, so it's great to make the most of this opportunity."

"Carberry and Rashid are the players that have stood out," said Parsons. "This was Michael Carberry's second hundred of the tour - he also got a 90 in one game - and he's been in good form. We've always known about Adil's talent - he had a really good summer with Yorkshire and this is his second Lions tour. He has shown how good a player he is at this level."

Following their elimination from the Duleep Trophy, the Lions face newly-arranged one-day matches against Maharashtra on Thursday and, to complete their tour of India, Saurashtra on Saturday.