Flintoff gets Law backing

Lancashire captain Stuart Law heaped praise on Andrew Flintoff after he helped Lancashire wrap up victory over Sussex in their LV County Championship clash at Hove.

The all-rounder bowled with pace and hostility without taking a wicket on a docile pitch, before hitting an unbeaten 62 to hurry Lancashire to an eight-wicket win on the final afternoon.

It was a welcome innings from Flintoff, who only recently returned from a six-week lay-off with a side strain and whose previous three innings going into the match were all ducks.

Flintoff’s 34 overs in the match also enhanced his international claims ahead of the first npower Test between England and South Africa at Lord’s, which starts next Thursday.

Law said: “He bowled superbly well against Sussex even though he didn’t take a wicket on a track that never helped the bowlers.

Andrew Flintoff pierces the off side as Lancashire race towards victory over Sussex on the final day

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“And he’s a great bloke to have in your dressing room. He adds so much to a team even without contributing cricket-wise.”

Flintoff, who batted at eight in the first innings, was promoted to number four in the second as Lancashire pressed for victory between the showers.

“I gave him the opportunity to bat number four in the second innings and he said, ‘Give it to me, I want it’,” said Law.

“Sure, he had a bit a luck to get started but he needed that after things went so much against him earlier in the match.

“We wanted to get the runs as quickly as we could and if Fred starts going nothing can stop him and that’s the way it was.

“Selfishly, I wouldn’t mind if they (England) left him out for the whole series. That would mean him playing more matches for Lancashire.

“But he’s a world-class performer. He’s a guy for whom you turn up and watch cricket. You do anything to see him bat and bowl.

"I think as soon as he’s ready he should play (for England).”