Flintoff deserved his reward for some impressive bowling

England star Andrew Flintoff stepped up his preparations for the first Test with New Zealand by helping Lancashire bowl Somerset out for 238 on day one.

Marcus Trescothick (77) was dropped twice off Flintoff but after he fell to James Anderson (2-44), Lancs took over.

Flintoff (2-40) was rewarded for some fine bowling by dismissing Peter Trego and Craig Kieswetter in the afternoon.

Ian Blackwell hit 64 but he was one of Sajid Mahmood's three victims and his team were in control at stumps on 60-0.

It ended a highly satisfactory day for them, particularly Flintoff, with the start of the New Zealand series just over three weeks away.

Flintoff is playing only his second first-class match since surgery on his ankle last autumn.

But after the close of play, Flintoff's former England team-mate Trescothick said: "He's ready to go.

"That's as good as he'll bowl - I don't think he'll get into a Test match against New Zealand in a couple of weeks' time and bowl any differently. Bowling-wise, he's ready."

Lancashire's formidable pace attack swung the new and old ball on a decent track.

Glen Chapple struck two early blows in cloudy conditions by trapping John Francis lbw with a swinging delivery and seeing skipper Justin Langer caught hooking at deep backward square-leg.

Trescothick's first life came on 10 when he edged Anderson to second slip where Lancs captain Stuart Law dropped a regulation chance.

He was on 32 and 46 when he cut Flintoff for four via Brad Hodge's fingertips and was spilled at cover by Simon Marshall.

The left-hander responded by carving successive deliveries from Flintoff through the off-side for fours as he put on 62 with James Hildreth.

But Hildreth went in the first over of the afternoon, edging Sajid Mahmood behind and Trescothick was finally out when he gave Law a second slip chance.

606: DEBATE A very satisfactory first day and nice weather as well Brookingham

Flintoff then got his reward for two robust spells, which confirmed his comeback following a fourth ankle operation is gathering pace.

Trego wafted a short ball to the keeper and Kieswetter was lbw to a rapid inswinger from the big all-rounder.

Ben Phillips chipped leg-spinner Marshall to mid-wicket, Mark Turner guided Mahmood to Law and Anderson accounted for Michael Munday.

That left Blackwell, who smacked two sixes in a feisty 97-ball knock, stranded and openers Paul Horton and Iain Sutcliffe confirmed Lancashire's advantage with a solid start to the reply.