KEY performances from two all-rounders helped Lancashire to a second win in the Pro Arch Series pre-season tournament against Essex in Sharjah on Sunday.

All eyes were on Andrew Flintoff's batting return, as the England star hit an impressive 39 off 51 balls to help the Red Rose men post 255-9.

Kyle Hogg then followed suit, this time with the ball, to take 4-29 to shatter an Essex response that fell from 57-0 to 192 all out. Lancashire won by 63 runs with four overs to spare.

"I just love having him around," said man-of-the-match Hogg of Flintoff. "You don't get that many opportunities to play with him whilst he is away with England.

"So when he is here, it gives an added incentive to do well. He is part of the England set-up and you want to prove to him how well you can do."

After the match, Flintoff bowled for 15 minutes off his full run-up to test his left ankle in preparation for possibly having a bowl as early as Wednesday against Sussex.

Cricket manager Mike Watkinson admitted that was the plan: "Bowling here was just part of his rehab programme with a view to bowling him at some point during the next two matches," he revealed.

Flintoff came in at the fall of the third Lancashire wicket, at 129-3, after Iain Sutcliffe had hit an attacking run-a-ball 54 and Gareth Cross had notched 33.

Freddie looked strong in his 65 minutes at the crease, hitting four powerful boundaries. He was finally bowled by Ryan ten Doeschate in the 41st over.

It was his highest score in any form of cricket since a 61 against Hampshire in the County Championship at the Rose Bowl last May.

"I thought he looked balanced at the crease and he was in control of his innings. We were pleased with that," Watkinson continued.

"I think that he would have been quite happy with that as a starting point, given that he hasn't done a lot of match batting in recent times.

"It was a pity that he wasn't around late on when he could have opened his shoulders."

Luke Sutton, playing as wicket-keeper, helped to finish the innings well with an unbeaten 51 off 59 balls.

Essex started their reply well but then Hogg and Simon Marshall claimed three wickets between them in eight devastating balls to reduce the Eagles from 57-0 to 58-3.

Marshall finished with 3-32 off 10 overs, while spinner Gary Keedy weighed in with 2-31.

How do you think Flintoff will fare this season? Have your say.

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