Flintoff pleased with his batting

Flintoff smashed four boundaries and a six in his 66 for Lancashire

Andrew Flintoff signalled a timely return to form with the bat ahead of the first Test as his 66 helped Lancashire beat Northamptonshire.

The England all-rounder said he had been working hard on his batting after a poor World Cup with the bat, in which he scored 92 runs in eight matches.

He said: "I have worked hard on my batting all week.

"I have spent a lot of time in the nets trying to get back to where I want to be. Today I was getting there."

Flintoff's 66 was his first half-century since January in Hobart, Australia, where he scored an unbeaten 72 against New Zealand in the Commonwealth Bank Series.

It was also his first in a Lancashire shirt since his 78 against Hampshire in 2001.

England are gearing up for the first Test, which begins at Lord's on 17 May, but are allowing players to get some overs and runs under their belts after having a short break from their winter exertions.

World Cup bowlers Sajid Mahmood and James Anderson were in action for Lancashire in the Friends Provident Trophy, Mahmood taking 2-35 and Anderson 1-22 in a rain-affected match.

Andrew Strauss, who is widely tipped to captain England should Michael Vaughan be ruled out through injury, hit 70 for Middlesex in their one-wicket win over Gloucestershire, while Ed Joyce was out for 31.

England World Cup star Paul Nixon, who is battling Matt Prior for the wicket-keeper's gloves for the first Test, helped Leicestershire to a dramatic last-ball victory over Scotland at Grace Road with 60 from 56 balls.

England are set to announce the squad for the first Test on Sunday.