Flintoff has a ball on return to bowling

Andrew Flintoff bowled for the first time in six months here yesterday and took two wickets, for Lancashire, in one over against Sussex in the Pro Arabian Challenge.

The England all-rounder last bowled competitively in the ICC World Twenty20 Championship against India in Durban on 19 September. Yesterday, the 30-year-old was introduced for the ninth over of the Sussex innings, with the county champions 18 for 2 in pursuit of 247 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Their innings was soon in disarray, as Flintoff struck twice in four balls in his second over.

Having had one big appeal for lbw turned down, Flintoff dismissed Chris Nash leg before and then bowled Ben Brown with a full delivery. Flintoff, who underwent a fourth ankle operation in the autumn, was removed from the attack after an initial spell of three overs, featuring a maiden and two wickets for seven runs.

Earlier, the all-rounder made 15 as Lancashire reached 246. Coming in at No 5, he got off the mark with a straight six off Luke Wright and then drove the next two balls for four. He then charged the left-arm spinner Tom Smith and was out, stumped by Andrew Hodd.

Smith, 20, was particularly impressive. He also dismissed Stuart Law, caught at cover, on his way to a three-wicket haul.