Flintoff returns as Lancashire go through

12:22pm Thursday 26th June 2008

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Andrew Flintoff’s return to bowling after seven weeks out with a left side strain was combined with Lancashire’s progression to the quarter finals of the Twenty20 Cup thanks to a 23-run win over Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford last night.

Flintoff, who made just nine from seven balls with the bat, had Australian batsman Adam Voges caught behind off just the fifth ball of Nottinghamshire’s reply to 155-8.

He bowled two overs at the obligatory express pace with the new ball going for 14 runs. And he came back for two one-over spells at the start of the 15th over.

His pace caused the run out of Will Jefferson, completed by wicket-keeper Gareth Cross.

The 30-year-old finished with figures of 1-27 from four overs in his first bowl since May 9.

Lou Vincent continued his fine form after bashing an unbeaten 102 in Monday’s win over Derbyshire with 56 off 36 balls, which included nine fours and a six. The 29 year-old Kiwi was the main reason for the hosts taking 54 runs off the first five overs.

Mal Loye was bowled by Darren Pattinson for 17 and Stuart Law was caught by Voges off the same bowler for five.

But Francois Du Plessis hit 19 off 21 balls to keep the momentum going but when he went, the Red Rose began to stutter.

Mark Ealham, Nottinghamshire’s bowling pick with 3-21 from four overs, got his first wicket when Du Plessis was brilliantly caught by Voges at mid-wicket.

Flintoff, who walloped a six over extra cover off Samit Patel early on, was caught by Rob Ferley at backward point.

Vincent followed in the 14th and Croft was bowled by Patel two overs later. Lancashire, who had been 95 for two in the eleventh, slumped to 115-6 in the 16th.

Cross at least rescued an innings that had promised so much with 19 off 14 balls, including two fours.