Flintoff close to cricket return

Andrew Flintoff says he "can't wait to get cracking" as he nears a long-awaited return from injury.

The Lancashire all-rounder has undergone two knee operations since playing his part in England's Ashes success last summer, his last competitive action.

But he hopes finally to force his way back into his county's plans in the coming weeks - and has revealed his rediscovered touch with the bat is offering him most hope.

"It's going well, there's light at the end of the tunnel," the 32-year-old said at the launch of Shell's new FuelSave initiative.

"It's been a long road with the rehab since then but I'm hoping to play again in the next few weeks. I'm back in the nets at Lancashire and from nowhere I've found the ability to bat again which is encouraging, I'm hitting the ball.

"I'm going to have to play in the second team first and force my way back into the first team but with the way I'm batting, I'm hoping to do that with the bat initially and then pick up the bowling from there."

He added: "It's only in the nets but with the break, I've come back playing and rather than worrying about where my feet go, my hands and my head and getting too technical, I've basically gone back to how I used to play when I was younger, just see the ball and hit it as hard as I can, and if I can't do that then I'll defend it.

"That's the way I tend to play, especially in the short form of the game, but I just can't wait to get cracking. It's been so long, and I'm now starting to get excited and chomping at the bit to start."