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Fred back with a bang
Cricket, 10:51, June 26, 2009 ,
Andrew Flintoff warmed up for the forthcoming Ashes clash with a spectacular Twenty20 knock of 93 as Lancashire beat Derbyshire.
The 31-year-old clubbed his runs from 41 deliveries, with nine fours and six sixes, while VVS Laxman chipped in with 63 from 45 balls faced, as Lancashire reached 220-5 in their 20 overs.
Derbyshire were never really in the hunt, despite half-centuries from Chris Rogers and Greg Smith, and they ended up on 164-7 to leave Lancs victorious by 56 runs.
Flintoff is on the comeback trail after yet another injury - this time a knee problem that required surgery - and it was thought he would be touch-and-go for the first Test with Australia in Cardiff.
However, it appears as though the 2005 Ashes hero is returning to form with the bat and, as he admitted himself, his bowling does not appear to have been affected by another spell on the sidelines.
With the business part of the summer about to get underway, Freddie is just happy that things seem to be falling into place at the right time.
"In a couple of weeks we've got some pretty big cricket coming up, so hopefully I can hit form at the right time," he said. "I've come back fit and strong, and the bowling takes care of itself. It's just nice to get a few runs.
"I've been working hard for the last few weeks and it was nice to come out when we were in a good position, so I was able to cut loose."