LONDON, April 28: Andrew Flintoff’s build-up to the Ashes got off to the worst possible start on Wednesday when his long-awaited return to the county championship proved a flop. The England star, who was returning to action following a January operation on a bone spur, fell to a fifth ball duck as Lancashire slipped to 196 all out against Worcestershire at New Road.

The home side reached 59 for one in reply on the opening day.

Floodlights were used for the first time in a championship match when Derbyshire’s 200,000-pound lights were turned on in their match against Northamptonshire.

Umpires Vanburn Holder and Trevor Jesty gave the signal for the six pylons to be turned on at Derby’s County Ground shortly before 1600 local time (1500GMT) but the historic event was short-lived.

Only one ball was bowled before rain stopped play with Northants 206 without loss after Derbyshire had put them into bat.

Close of play scores on Wednesday:

(Day one of four):

County Championship:

Division One:

At Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 238-9 (M Wallace 86 not out, D.L. Hemp 60; Mohammad Akram 4-62) v Surrey.

At Bristol: Kent 66-2 v Gloucestershire.

At Trent Bridge: Sussex 116-2 v Nottinghamshire.

At Edgbaston: Middlesex 298 (E.T. Joyce 92, S.B. Styris 53); Warwickshire 18-2.

Division Two:

At Derby: Northamptonshire 292-0 (B.M. Shafayat 156 not out, M.L. Love 129 not out) v Derbyshire.

At Taunton: Somerset 119-5 v Essex.

At New Road: Lancashire 196 (W.K. Hegg 69 not out); Worcestershire 59-1.—AFP