Lancashire lose as Flintoff makes his comeback at Arundel Castle

ANDREW Flintoff made his cricket comeback for Lancashire at Arundel Castle this morning.
Andrew Flintoff in action at Arundel CastleAndrew Flintoff in action at Arundel Castle
Andrew Flintoff in action at Arundel Castle

The former England captain, 36, was part of the Lancashire team involved in the ECB 2nd XI Finals Day and a crowd of around 400 were on hand to watch him in action.

Flintoff, who played 79 Test matches for England, last week signed a T20 contract with Lancashire, having previously retired from the sport in 2010.

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They took on Leicestershire in the first semi-final of the day but lost by 29 runs. Flintoff took 2-39 from four overs with the ball, before he was out for a run-a-ball 16 opening the batting.

Flintoff made the breakthrough for his side when he bowled Michael Thornely for 24 with the final ball of the fifth over, which was his second over.

The final two deliveries of his third over were hit for four and six by Leicestershire opener Matthew Boyce, before he switched to the Castle end for the final over of the innings and had Usman Tariq caught, on the boundary, off the first ball.

Flintoff’s penultimate delivery was struck back past him for six by Boyce, who finished unbeaten on 88 as Leicestershire posted 185-5 from their 20 overs.

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Flintoff opened the batting with Luis Reece in Lancashire’s reply. He got off the mark with a quick single from his fourth delivery and struck a six and a four before he was bowled by left-arm spinner James Sykes for 16 with the score on 49.

Lancashire finished their innings on 156-6 as Jordan Clark hit an unbeaten 53, while Sykes claimed 3-26.

Flintoff tweeted after the game: “Outplayed by Leicester today, missed 3 Yorkers that went for 2 6’s and a 4, got in a muddle to the left armer and missed that too #goodfun”

Leicestershire will meet Hampshire or Somerset in the final. The second semi-final is currently underway now, with the final starting at 5pm. Entrance is free all day.