Leeds: England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has insisted that he is not taking any risks with his long-term fitness by returning ahead of schedule to international action, albeit only as a batsman.

Flintoff’s typically aggressive 21 not out helped England seal a seven-wicket win against the West Indies in Thursday’s ODI at Headingley.

But England’s first win of the Natwest series came after officials last month said Flintoff, also a lively pace bowler, would miss the whole of the triangular event with an ankle injury, revealed during the third Test win against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

However, the 26-year-old’s comeback was no surprise to him. “I’ve trained with my physio Dave Roberts and on Wednesday I went hill-running in Bolton.

“We decided I can’t bowl but otherwise, with the running we did, there’s nothing on a cricket field that would be more strenuous than what we did,” Flintoff said. “In two weeks hopefully I will be able to bowl.” (AFP)