UK NEWS

FREDDIE FLINTOFF ROARS OFF

“Freddie” Flintoff on his Harley Davidson

Saturday April 5,2008

By Natasha Higgins

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AS one of England’s premier fast bowlers Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff is well used to going at full throttle.

So it’s no wonder the cricketer looks perfectly at home astride a powerful Harley Davidson motorcyle.

It could also be the surest sign yet that Freddie, 30, is getting back to fitness for the first Test of the summer.

The all-rounder is adamant he will be ready to go up against New Zealand at Lord’s on May 15 if selected.

Even so he is urging caution over his rehabilitation from a fourth operation on his problematic left ankle.

Yet he was able to change gear on the £15,000 Road King Classic with ease, as he left Lancashire’s Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester yesterday.

He said: “I have missed a lot of international cricket through injury and I don’t want to miss any more.

“But I am under no illusions that if I am to get back in that side then I have to be fit and playing well.

“I would love to put my name in the hat but even if I am playing well they have just won two Test matches on the bounce. I would just like to be in the mix.”

The ex-England skipper is in line to start the season for Lancashire with three days of friendly cricket against Yorkshire at Old Trafford on Monday. Looks like he is already off to a racing start.