The Lancashire all-rounder is expected to win his 68th cap in England's second match of the npower series against South Africa at Headingley tomorrow.
His first two Test appearances at a ground his Lancashire team-mates call `Galatasaray' due to the hostile reception in Roses clashes, were hellish ones.
He bagged two pairs, against South Africa 10 years ago and then against India four years later, taking only one wicket in the two contests.
But, having gone through months of injury misery since captaining his country in the Ashes whitewash-clinching defeat in Sydney in January 2007, his mood is much more upbeat.
"It feels a little bit like a new beginning because it has been so long," said Flintoff, 30, whose comeback from a fourth ankle operation was hindered recently by a six-week spell on the sidelines with a side strain.
"For me it is almost a fresh start. A few years ago I was out for a while and then came back with some success, hopefully I can do that again.
"I was pleased, ecstatic almost, just to get the call back in the England squad.
"If you have ever pulled on an England shirt on, that is enough to get you back out playing one-day internationals, or Test cricket.
"The excitement, the emotions of playing a Test match and walking out with the rest of the team is enough to keep anyone going who has experienced that.
"Since Peter Moores has taken over as coach, I have not played a great deal apart from a few one-day games against India last year and a Twenty20 World Cup, so I am looking forward to playing cricket under him and with a few lads I have never played cricket with before, and just try to make a difference - be part of it all.
"I feel good about my game, about myself and my fitness.
"The side strain is long gone and the ankle operation is that long ago that that is forgotten too. I am just ready to go."
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