LONDON, July 21: England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will make his return to action earlier than expected when he turns out for Lancashire's 2nd XI at Blackpool on Tuesday. He will play as a batsman after the ECB made him available for the match following promising progress in his recovery from the ankle surgery which has ruled him out of England action this season.

Earlier this week Flintoff said he was targeting the one-day series against India as a return to the England scene and the 2nd XI outing is the first stage of the comeback. Earlier, this season he played as a batsman for Lancashire before it was decided that he would undergo surgery.

He initially felt discomfort following the Championship match against Hampshire prior to the first Test against West Indies. The medical staff began by playing a wait-and-see game, sending him back to Lancashire, but soon decided the problem would only be sorted by surgery.—Agencies