Andrew Flintoff passes dry run in Abu Dhabi
Andrew Flintoff took his first steps towards resurrecting his career with a brief spell of fast bowling under floodlights in the Arabian desert yesterday.
The England all-rounder’s decline through injury had left England vulnerable, and his form for Lancashire in the Arabian Challenge tournament for the Pro-ARCH Trophy - a glass prize that was accidentally smashed last weekend - took on some significance.
Flintoff had bowled very little since August and not at all since his most recent ankle operation in October, so the hostile accuracy that dismissed two Sussex batsmen in four balls here yesterday was the best part of Lancashire’s 109-run victory.
In two short spells, he took two wickets for nine off five overs, refreshed by his break from the intensity abroad with England that has usually had to serve as his preparation for the summer.
Mike Watkinson, Lancashire’s coach, was pleased. “It looks all right, doesn’t it,” he said as he strolled around the boundary in the warm night at the Zayed Stadium.
“The thing that helps here is that he’s not building up to anything in particular. There’s no deadline. We’re just looking to play him as an all-rounder in our first championship match this season at the Oval. And then let’s build on that.
“I suppose he’s bowling at 70 per cent at the moment. His rhythm is good, his confidence is good and it all looks fluid. Unless he plays for Lancashire and stays fit and healthy, England is not going to happen. So we can’t look too far ahead.”
Abu Dhabi is an emirate better known so far for constructing the world’s most costly hotel at more than £1 billion - the Emirates Palace with its 102 lifts - but the Zayed Stadium has become a notable international cricket venue since it rose from the sand almost four years ago.
The inaugural Arabian Challenge tournament started last week with Lancashire, Sussex, Essex, Somerset, Yorkshire and the keen-as-mustard United Arab Emirates XI in a quest for the ill-fated trophy. The 50-over matches provided outdoor preparation on sound pitches and a smooth-grassed outfield.
Lancashire easily disposed of Sussex after making 246. Flintoff was dismissed for 15 but fared better with the ball, removing Chris Nash lbw and bowling Ben Brown.
His next appearance will be a desert Roses match against Yorkshire tomorrow, the highlight of the event. The Arabian concept looks likely to catch on, especially with the completion of another venue in Dubai this year, the third centre after Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
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