Flintoff in line for surprise return with bat

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

Flintoff is recuperating from a third operation on his left ankle at the beginning of June and has not played for his county since a Friends Provident Trophy match against Yorkshire on May 20.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board medical staff are hoping to get permission from Lancashire to ease to him back into action for a three-day game against Derbyshire seconds starting at Blackpool on Tuesday.

Flintoff, who last played competitive cricket on May 9, confirmed in a magazine interview yesterday that he is still hoping to make 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,'' he told Sport magazine.

''When something is taken away from you and you can't play - through injury or whatever reason - you realise how much you miss it and how much you want to get back. I'm desperate to get back as soon as I can.

The all-rounder, who was stripped of vice-captaincy during the World Cup for drinking, says he is yet to reach his peak as a bowler.

''I am still only 29 and I genuinely believe my best years are in front of me. A lot of batsmen don't reach their peak until their early 30s, and as a bowler I feel I'm reaching that peak, too,'' he said.

However, England's main priority will be making sure Flintoff is fit in time for the 2009 Ashes series.

UNI