Flintoff is very keen to return to international duty when fully fit

The England all-rounder is poised to captain the side in the second Test against Pakistan at his home Old Trafford ground from 27 July.

He practised for an hour at the Nursery End at Lord's, missing the Test on the adjacent ground as he recovers from a problem in his left ankle.

He bowled for half an hour before batting against the MCC groundstaff.

Flintoff was monitored by Lancashire physio Dave Roberts and Dr Peter Gregory, the England and Wales Cricket Board's chief medical officer, during the period of practice.

"I bowled six overs so it was my best workout yet and I'm not creaking or anything," said Flintoff, who is due to feature for Lancashire in their County Championship match in Kent, starting next Tuesday.

"I've played two Twenty20 matches with Lancashire, bowled three overs and two overs so far, but I wasn't bowling at full pelt today - I've still got something else remaining to give.

"I've had two tough days last week running up and down the hills at Rivington Pike [near Bolton] and it's all been building up towards bowling and geared towards playing at Canterbury on Tuesday.

"But I'm not going to get ahead of myself about my fitness for the second Test because I can't be sure until I've bowled in a four-day match.