Flintoff joins up with England

12:39pm Wednesday 9th July 2008

Andrew Flintoff returned to the England fold on Wednesday as they prepared for the opening npower Test against South Africa - but only as a net bowler.

The Lancashire all-rounder was in London following Tuesday night's Twenty20 Cup quarter-final defeat to Middlesex and was asked to join the rest of the squad training at Lord's on Wednesday morning.

He was due to bowl in the nets to give England a chance to monitor his fitness but has not been added to the squad for the start of the four-Test series on Thursday.

Flintoff was due to make his Test comeback at the start of this summer against New Zealand following ankle surgery but suffered an untimely side strain.