Flintoff ton lifts England
Andrew Flintoff continued his impressive form since his comeback with an unbeaten century in England's opening warm-up match of their India tour.
The Lancashire all-rounder, man of the series during England's 4-0 series win over South Africa at the end of last summer having returned from a fourth ankle operation, smashed an inexperienced Mumbai Cricket Association line-up for an unbeaten 101 at the Brabourne Stadium.
Flintoff hammered three sixes and 12 fours in his 85 ball innings and helped propel the tourists to a formidable 297 for four in the 12-a-side encounter, the first of two warm-up matches before the start of the seven-match one-day international series in Rajkot next Friday.
His big hitting in partnership with Owais Shah, who hit 83 off as many balls, helped England add 137 in the last 10 overs after struggling during the middle stages of their innings.
Opener Matt Prior fell in the fifth over of the day when his middle stump was removed by seamer Vinit Sinha, but Ian Bell teamed up with Shah in a 78-run stand before being stumped for 58 attempting to charge off-spinner Vikrant Yelgeti.
Captain Kevin Pietersen also failed to make use of the batting practice and edged left-arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni behind while Shah was caught at mid-wicket with five overs remaining.
Flintoff, who was dropped on seven and 25 and forced Sinha to retire hurt after one of his full-blooded drives hit him on the right shoulder as he attempted to take evasive action, brought up his century in the final over with one of his three sixes.
