Flintoff strikes for England

Feb 5 2009

Andrew Flintoff was handed the new ball and provided England with an early breakthrough in the first Test at Sabina Park.

All-rounder Flintoff was given a new role by captain Andrew Strauss, having passed a fitness check to take part in the first of four Tests against West Indies.

Flintoff was given the opportunity to open the bowling and responded by dismissing opener Devon Smith leg before wicket after a challenge to umpire Tony Hill's initial decision to give the left-hander not out.

Television official Daryl Harper confirmed that the ball had pitched in line with leg stump rather than outside before clattering a hopping Smith on the back leg.

That left West Indies 18 for one, a deficit of exactly 300.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle countered Flintoff's fire when he lofted a straight six from his second ball, via an extraordinary checked drive, and then felt one whistle past his nose end at 89 miles per hour.