Andrew Flintoff held court in the players’ dining room on another cold day of mizzling rain at The Oval, pronounced that he was fit and looking forward to the possibility of playing in the first Test against New Zealand next month, but admitted that the rehabilitation work on his left ankle would probably have to continue for the rest of his career. The IPL? "That is not a major concern of mine at the moment." The sentiment sounded, as is always the case with him, a sincere one.

"I felt fine, even after bowling at Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher on such a placid pitch," he added. "My last operation in October was so long ago that I have almost forgotten about it. I was bowling not far off my full pace but I know I need to score some runs if I am going to be in contention for the first Test. I shall have to keep on working on my left ankle and calf."

After play had been abandoned on the final day of Lancashire’s match with Surrey, Flintoff travelled back north with his teammates and will play for his county against Derbyshire in the Friends Provident Trophy at Old Trafford today. The first Test does not start until May 15, so, weather permitting, he has time aplenty to impress the England selectors. Geoff Miller, for one, was keen for him to play at the start of the season.

Flintoff, who is 30 and could be considered without fear of contradiction to have reached his peak - although he says his best years are still ahead of him - made 23 at a run a ball in this match and took one wicket in 28 overs, which was a greater workload than he might have expected after a fourth operation on his left ankle. He did not bowl within himself, either, in spells that were tailored to aid his recovery: 5, 4, 1.3 overs on the first day; 3.3, 5, 3, 1, 5 overs on the second day. His main concern would have been ensuring he did not pull a muscle.

Sensibly, too, Lancashire had objected to him playing for MCC against Sussex in the opening match of the season. Otherwise, he would have had eight days cricket in ten days, and, even after all the rehabilitation he has undertaken with Dave Roberts, the former England physiothera-pist, that was too much. The purpose, too, of his preseason cricket with Lancashire in Abu Dhabi was to ensure a proper recovery. After all, Flintoff had not performed in a first-class match since Lancashire’s victory by an innings over Yorkshire last August. He played for England Lions in one day cricket in Mumbai in February. It has been a long winter, brightened by the birth of his third child, the wonderfully named Rocky, a nomenclature which fits perfectly with Flintoff’s Flintstones image.

"I had six weeks in America with Roberts, which was great because no-one knew who I was, the weather was good and there were no distractions," he said. "I was able to take the family as well. Three or four hours training there was worth six at home and we worked really hard. The same thing happened in Cape Town in January."

Flintoff would not be drawn yesterday on his thoughts on the IPL and ICL in India simply because he felt he would be repeating himself. He knows that, like Kevin Pietersen, he will be an obvious attraction, but a return to full fitness is his priority and, besides, the increasing likelihood of the involvement of England players in either a tournament organised by Sir Allen Stanford or a competition run by the ECB, either of which could culminate in a final at Lord’s, will mean that he can afford to keep his powder dry for now. His central contract with England expires at the end of September.

Miller has said that the selectors will not push Flintoff into playing for England before he is properly ready to do so. "He has been very happy with his last operation. He is keen to get back and we are keen to have him back," said Miller, who now heads the selection panel, and watched him during this match.

Flintoff’s seemingly successful return to the game in this match will be remembered for a while to come, if not, perhaps, for as long for the centenary which was recalled yesterday. One hundred years ago, an even greater name, WG Grace, played in his last first-class match on this ground, making 15 and 25 for Gentlemen of England against Surrey, both times being dismissed by a bowler, one Sydney Busher, whose one and only appearance for the county this was. Thankfully, Flintoff’s career did not come to a shuddering end at The Oval as well.