The game saw Andrew Flintoff return to the Lancashire first team following a third ankle operation. Flintoff only managed to knock up a total of 25 runs though, before being bowled by Wijekoon. It was a great site to see Freddy back for the Red Rose though, and managed to hit a few fours from his 40 bowls in the process.

Flintoff now faces a race against time to get 100% match fit ahead of next weekends trip to Edgbaston for the Twenty-20 Cup finals day.

Sri Lanka elected to put Lancashrie into bat after winning the toss at Liverpool Cricket Club and Mark Chilton high scored for Lancs,  hitting 33 runs from 61 balls, knocking five fours on the way. Herath eventually trapped Chilton LBW, just as he was beginning to build a partnership with Flintoff.

Ian Sutcliffe was first to go in the match though, Welegedara knocking his leg stump straight over. Sutcliffe's score has to be applauded though, he managed to get the high total of two from his 15 balls at the crease.

Brad Hodge and Croft didn't manage to get their totals for the day past the 20 marks, Hodge was caught by Fernando as Welegedara claimed his second and last wicket of the day. Croft was sent walking back to the pavillion as he chipped the ball straight back at the bowler Perera.

Sutton, Marshall and Newby all went for 0, whilst Sajid Mahmood managed to get a solitary run on the board before being bowled by Lokuarachchi. Keedy and Smith kept Lancashire going though, and Keedy even hit the only six of the game, and yes he was last in the batting order.

Lancashire's turn to have a dabble with the ball now, and Sajod Mahmood sent a strong message to the England selectors by ending with figures of 5-16. Mahmood himself has only just returned from a hernia operation and has already sprung back into the form he showed before his injury.

Mahmood took the wickets of Perera, Vandort, Warnapura and Kandamby before trapping Lokuarachchi LBW. There were also wickets for Newby, Marshall and Keedy. Marshall ending with figures of 2-6 and Keedy finishing with 2-18.

Lancashire won the game by 35 runs.

Lancashire's squad for the Sri Lanka 'A' game at Liverpool: Mark Chilton (capt), Iain Sutcliffe, Paul Horton, Brad Hodge, Andrew Flintoff, Steven Croft, Luke Sutton (wkt), Simon Marshall, Tom Smith, Gary Keedy, Oliver Newby, Sajid Mahmood.

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