July 20, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 23, 1427

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LONDON, July 19: Andrew Flintoff's chances of playing for England against Pakistan in next week's second Test at Old Trafford have improved after returning for county duty with Lancashire.

Flintoff's return to four-day action got off to a miserable start as he was dismissed for just four in the clash with Kent on Tuesday.

The England all-rounder, attempting to prove his fitness after recovering from an ankle injury, lasted just eight balls before he fell to Kent's impressive South African paceman Tyron Henderson.

However, Flintoff then produced a typically entertaining cameo with the ball to make up for his disappointing performance with the bat.

Flintoff bowled with his customary venom in taking two for 11 in an opening six-over spell that saw him knock Robert Key's off stump out with his very first ball.

He returned late in the day for a further four-over burst to finish with figures of two for 16 from 10 overs including three maidens.

Flintoff also took a magnificent one-handed slip catch to dismiss David Fulton off the bowling of Glen Chapple, as he consigned his batting failure to memory.

Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson told Sky Sports News: “He ran in very hard for his first spell and got good pace. He then came back with a four-over spell to finish play at the end and I think he's quite pleased with the way it all went.”

Flintoff's initial spell was important not just for England supporters, but also for the loyal Lancashire fans who had earlier seen their team struggle to 218 all out in near-perfect batting conditions at Canterbury.

The 28-year-old brought the visitors back into the game after Key (16) and Fulton (29) had looked comfortable in putting on 29 for the first wicket.

But Flintoff's introduction to the attack put a whole new complexion on the game, and he removed Key before trapping Martin van Jaarsveld in front for six.

Kent finished on 130 for four, still 87 runs behind Lancashire's first innings.

Scores on Tuesday:

County Championship (Day 1 of 4):

Division One:

At Canterbury: LANCASHIRE 218 (G.D. Cross 72, S.G. Law 53; T. Henderson 4-29); KENT 130-4.

NatWest Pro40:

Division One:

At Chelmsford: Essex beat Northamptonshire by 109 runs.

ESSEX 280-6 (M.L. Pettini 61, R.C. Irani 59, R.S. Bopara 58 not out); NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 171.—AFP