Flintoff sets January comeback target

Andrew Flintoff believes he could make his comeback in January by playing for Queensland in Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition.

Knee problems continue to plague the former Test all-rounder, who stepped down from the five-day format of the game last year but planned to continue representing England in limited-overs cricket.

Flintoff is currently in protracted rehabilitation from his latest bout of knee surgery but has targeted a spell with Queensland for Australia's domestic Twenty20 tournament - which coincides with England's one-day series Down Under.

He said: "I'm a bit frustrated, I was meant to play for Lancashire over the past few weeks but seeing the physio and seeing where I'm at, I can't run properly so it was decided that I probably shouldn't start quite yet. It's just postponed a little bit so I'm back in the gym with the physio trying to get fit.

"There's the option of playing in Queensland in January for them in the Twenty20, which I'd like to do. But more important is Lancashire next year. I'm not quite sure what is realistic at this moment in time. I'm still getting a few twinges in the knee and can't move as well as I'd like to."

As for his England chances, Flintoff said: "I think ability-wise I could get in there. But I'll be 33 in December and it will be [a question of] have the side moved on? They can't wait around for me forever."

Flintoff's side, Lancashire, are still outsiders for this season's County Championship and their chances were unharmed yesterday when the first day of Yorkshire's match with Hampshire at Scarborough was rained off.

Morning rain meant no action was possible before lunch but umpires Trevor Jesty and Richard Kettleborough were able to inspect at 1.15pm when they decided that the game could begin at 2.30.

But half an hour before then the rain returned with a vengeance and the umpires called it off for the day at 3.25.

Yorkshire, with three games to play, are aware that they need every point they can muster if they are to finish ahead of leaders Nottinghamshire and second-placed Somerset.

Nottinghamshire lead them by six points and have a game in hand while Somerset are just two points in front of the Tykes.