Flintoff makes bowling comeback

Andrew Flintoff hopes to operate as an all-rounder in England's final match of the ICC Champions Trophy today.

The England captain is on course to meet the original target set for him on arrival in India by getting a handful of overs in against West Indies at the Sardar Patel Stadium. Flintoff has not bowled in an England shirt since June 4, during the third Test defeat to Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge.

"I've bowled in the nets over the past couple of weeks and responded well to everything," said Flintoff. "But I have no intention of bowling a full 10 under any circumstances."

Flintoff goes into his seventh one-day game as England captain still seeking his first victory, something which he believes is important to obtain for other reasons.

"From our point of view, we want to finish the tournament with a win," Flintoff said. "We have been beaten twice but we're playing for pride and pride is a strong thing to play for.

"We are a proud group of lads and we want to win a game of cricket in India. The West Indies may be through and we are going home but, from our point of view, we want to put on a good show.

"We have underperformed since we have been here and we would like to go home with a win. We know this is a team that can fight back, it has a lot of character and we will be trying our damnedest to take a win back with us to England."

Flintoff's opposite number Brian Lara, meanwhile, suggests England's below-par displays here are understandable given what is on the horizon.

"England have got bigger things to worry about now - the Ashes - and I wish them well for that," said the 37-year-old.

"I thought the series I saw in England a year ago was maybe the best series I have ever looked at. The odds are against them with the likes of Michael Vaughan missing but then you can always back the underdog and, if they could retain the Ashes, I think it would be a very good achievement."