ANDREW FLINTOFF enjoyed himself, despite not getting a bat, because of the ease of a Lancashire victory that maintains their 100 per cent record at the top of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy’s Northern Conference.

The crowd drawn to Wantage Road by the prospect of a glimpse of England’s caretaker captain on county duty must have been mystified by David Sales decision to bat first in overcast conditions.

Flintoff, in his first appearance of the season, dropped Usman Afzaal at second slip in Dominic Cork’s opening over, but quickly atoned for his error three overs later to give Sajid Mahmood an early scalp. Flintoff then produced an initial spell of 6-0-18-3 as the Northamptonshire top order predictably struggled on the slow, seaming surface. He removed Afzaal with his fourth ball, as if to underline the apology for that early lapse, and, after bowling Chris Rogers, he ended Bilal Shafayat’s spirited innings.

Cork, typically, did his best to steal some limelight with three wickets in an over. It took Lance Klusener’s unbeaten 63 from 89 balls to prolong a match already missing ten overs because of bad weather. Klusener added 38 in 59 balls with Jason Brown, of which Klusener faced 48 as he chose to turn down singles and clubbed a six and seven fours.

The target of 175, however, did not extend Lancashire and, although the crowd may have been disappointed at being denied a further sighting of Flintoff, the man himself was not bothered after Brad Hodge and Stuart Law’s unbroken stand of 116 in 22 overs.

“I enjoyed it today,” Flintoff said. “We batted very well and I was not required, but I have never been one who needs to bat all the time. It’s only been three weeks since I last played.

“I’ve had my rest and it was great fun to get back out there today. I’ve got two more days of practice at Lord’s this week before the Test starts, but the bowling felt good today.”

Flintoff said that he could not wait to lead out the England team against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in his first Test as captain in this country. “It will be a very special moment for me at the home of cricket,” he added.