By Andy Wilson/The Guardian


Lancashire have dropped the strongest hint yet that Andrew Flintoff will make a dramatic comeback in the rebranded Twenty20 Blast this summer – and are not ruling out the possibility that the 36-year-old’s first appearance since the 2009 Ashes series could come as early as this weekend.
Having originally downplayed suggestions that Flintoff’s regular presence at Old Trafford this spring was aimed at a playing return, the club have now reluctantly conceded that they are “in talks over possible involvement during the NatWest T20 Blast campaign”.
The reluctance is caused by the inevitable uncertainty over whether his notoriously injury-prone body can stand the strain. The planned first stage of his comeback, in a low-profile second team fixture last week, has already been delayed by an ankle problem sustained in fielding practice – and he has not played competitive cricket of any form for the best part of five years.
Their confirmation is therefore deliberately vague, keeping open the possibility that his “involvement” will be in an off-field role as a coach and mentor to the young players. But Flintoff is desperate to play and the indications are that he may take the field in a second-team T20 fixture against Cheshire in Sale tomorrow.
Lancashire have consistently denied suggestions that he could be involved in their opening T20 match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Friday night and Flintoff himself was quick to scupper a tweet from Notts along those lines, accusing them of “trying to sell tickets”.
It would make much more commercial sense for Lancashire to save the grand relaunch for the following evening’s home game against Worcestershire Rapids at Old Trafford. The only argument against that would be the lack of time to capitalise, as his availability could only be known after tomorrow’s second team game, so it may yet be that Flintoff is held back for later in the tournament.
His return would be a huge boost to the new-look Twenty20 competition, which has been extended as well as rebranded this year, and will already boast an impressive collection of star names including Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Kevin Pietersen.
Whether it would be good news for Lancashire’s prospects of success in the tournament must remain open to considerable doubt. But Flintoff remains a highly popular figure in the dressing room at Old Trafford and the players seem ready to welcome him back.