Flintoff Finds Form With the Bat But Will Not Return for England

Sixty-six scored by Andrew Flintoff at better than a run a ball - the first time he has gone passed fifty in 14 months of first class cricked - eased Lancashire to an eight-wicket victory at Hove yesterday. After delays forrain had cost almost two hours he got Lancashire home with 27 overs tospare.

It was not chanceless, but it was his highest score since the 89 made in the Sydney Test of January 2007 and it ended a dire run of just 29 runs from five innings - including four ducks - before yesterday. "It was great,thanks," said Flintoff. "Getting better."

Just about the time that the national selector Geoff Miller was almost confirming what everyone else had known since the weekend - that Flintoff would not be named in England's squad for the first Test match when it is announced today - the all-rounder was launching the first of three straight sixes into the empty deck chairs at the Cromwell Road End.

He had started nervously and survived a huge appeal for caught behind off the third ball faced - television suggested the ball had brushed his pad -before swiveling to pull Corey Collymore for his first boundary. The pace quickened with a perfectly timed cover drive off Jason Lewry, but, on 18,Flintoff was dropped at third slip.

Undeterred, England's all-rounder-in-waiting launched an assault on the medium pace of Robin Martin-Jenkins, repeatedly dancing down the wicket to take ten off an over before that first six took him to 41. Another took him to 48 at a run-a-ball before a sticky seven-ball period saw the half-century up with a lucky inside edge to fine leg.

By then Lancashire were in sight of their second victory of the year and second place in the table which was confirmed when Flintoff straight drove his third six and then added a seventh four - off the 59thball he faced.

After bowling well, but remaining wicket less for 34 overs, it capped adecent return to first class cricket after the side strain six weeks ago.Understandably it came too late to convince the selectors that Flintoff is ready to face South Africa at Lord's next week.

"It's plain for everybody to see where he's at," Miller had said earlier."The work he has put in has been absolutely fantastic but there is bat form to consider, he will want some runs, and a few more miles in his legs as well. We are not sure where we are beyond that first Test match."

The fireworks rather overshadowed some fine bowling from another all-rounder feeling his way back. Glen Chapple ended with six for 58 after taking two of the four wickets to clatter as Sussex added 22 in the morning.