Flintoff is keen to play alongside brother Chris at Penwortham

England legend Andrew Flintoff is set for a return to cricket after signing for club side Penwortham in Lancashire's Palace Shield.

The 33-year-old announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in September 2010 after failing to recover from a serious knee injury.

But the 2005 Ashes-winning hero and veteran of 79 Tests is keen to play alongside brother Chris Flintoff, who opens the batting for Penwortham, which is situated on the other side of the River Ribble from their native Preston.

"Andrew Flintoff has signed for Penwortham Cricket Club," said delighted club chairman Paul Walmsley.

"His forms will be sent to the Palace Shield league officials for their subsequent approval."

Former England captain Flintoff scored more than 3,000 runs for England in both the Test and one-day international forms of the game.

And the big hitter would have very little trouble clearing the ropes at a ground described on Penwortham's website as "small and compact".

But, as is the way with the all-rounder known as Freddie, his return is conditional on a return to fitness.

As Walmsley explained: "We look forward to seeing Freddie once he has recovered from recent surgery.

"He has expressed a keen interest to play alongside Chris and he will, of course, be made more than welcome."

Chris, who has a highest score for Penwortham of 104 not out, was a regular for the club during the 2007 and 2008 season but did not figure in 2009 and made just one appearance last season, scoring a solitary single before he was bowled.

Walmsley added: "Obviously the prospect of having such a well-known former international cricketer as Andrew Flintoff playing for Penwortham is tremendous for our club and the competition in general."

Penwortham have four senior Saturday teams and one Sunday side and compete against the likes of Longridge, Kirkham, Great Eccleston, Torrisholme and Hoghton.

The facilities at Penwortham include a small bar and a modern brick pavilion but resources would undoubtedly be stretched if Flintoff were to turn out for Walmsley's side.

It would be a return to his roots for all-rounder Flintoff, who started his career in the Palace Shield as a junior at Dutton Forshaw.

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