Flintoff cleared to play for Lancashire as specialist batsman

London, July 21 (UNI) In an attempt to hasten his return to the national team, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was today cleared to play as a specialist batsman for Lancashire Second XI next week.

He will not bowl but will play as a specialist batsman against Derbyshire at Blackpool on Tuesday, after the ECB made him available for the match following promising progress in his recovery from the ankle surgery under the watchful eye of Lancashire's Physio Dave Roberts.

Flintoff is recuperating from a third operation on his left ankle last month and has not played for his county since a Friends Provident Trophy match against Yorkshire on May 20.

Flintoff had said he would aim his international comeback in the seven-match one-day NatWest Series against India, beginning at the Rose Bowl on August 21.

''I have a new hunger to get back in the side and perform.

I'm desperate to get back as soon as I can,'' he told a Sports magazine.

If all goes well during the Blackpool fixture, Freddie would be in line for playing in the LV County Championship and NatWest Pro40 competition and then for the ODI series against visiting India.

UNI