February 21, 2008	Thursday	Safar 13, 1429

MUMBAI, Feb 20: Andrew Flintoff, the England all-rounder who made his long-awaited return on Tuesday when he played for England Lions in India, has said the Indian Premier League (IPL) does not overly concern him in spite of the tempting money being offered.

Indian franchises were on Wednesday bidding extraordinary sums of money for the world’s elite. Jacques Kallis was bought by Bangalore for US$900,000; Mahendra Singh Dhoni cost Chennai US$1.5m but, as yet, no England player has joined the IPL, though high-profile figures such as Flintoff are expected to attract plenty of interest.

“It’s not an option for the English players since we tour during the winter and play county cricket during the summer,” Flintoff said. “Lancashire and the ECB have looked after me well and my concern is to get on the field for them.”

Flintoff’s comments follow those of his England colleague, Alastair Cook, who said on Tuesday: “We have so much cricket for England that we can’t go off and play there too. We’re very well looked after and I can’t see why you’d trade in the three lions for anything.”

Flintoff, though, is still making his tentative first steps back into action having spent five months on the sidelines with an ankle injury. He returned on Tuesday, making four in England Lions’ three-wicket win over Mumbai, but has yet to fully test his ankle by bowling — something that he won’t do until he is under full supervision back at Old Trafford.

“I have not been able to play competitive cricket and playing with pain has affected my batting,” he said.

“I want to try and discover some form in the nets and in few other areas.

“People bowl around the world and get injured. The pressure that goes to my ankle at the time of the delivery is 10-12 times my body weight and I am also a big fellow. But it’s unfortunate not being a part of the squad [in New Zealand].

“I am an all-rounder and I want to get fully fit to fit into that role,” he said. “But now I want to come back. I don’t want to bowl at 70 or 80 mph but want to touch the 90 mark. I am just 30 years old and have a long way ahead.”—Agencies