Andrew Flintoff suffered no immediate ill-effects as he marked his surprise return to action with a wicket.

Just over six weeks after surgery on a knee injury picked up in the Indian Premier League, the England all-rounder was selected to play for Lancashire in their LV County Championship Division One match at Durham.

He was kept out of the attack at Chester-le-Street early on but after being handed the ball for the 12th over, Flintoff had opener Michael Di Venuto caught behind off his second delivery.

Late on a rain-affected first day, he repeated the trick to remove Mitchell Claydon and closed with figures of 12-3-30-2 as Durham limped to 212 for eight.

It was a good response to the doubters who feared he might struggle to play a significant part against the Australians when Ashes battle commences next month.

Lancashire's decision to play Flintoff was taken in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board, and county head coach Peter Moores had no reason to regret it.

Moores, the former England coach, said: ``It's always a risk when you play, no doubt about that.

``But he's sensible, he's done a lot of rehab work and is going very strongly.

The medical teams at the ECB and Lancashire are very happy and he's got the chance to get some miles in his legs.

``He looks to be moving very well and there's no pain in that knee at all.''

Flintoff was widely expected to be held back for next week's match against Hampshire at Liverpool.

He underwent knee surgery upon his return from the IPL in South Africa, but hopes he might be able to play in the current World Twenty20 proved premature.

That raised fears he might struggle to play a full part in the Ashes series which begins in Cardiff next month - although the Lancastrian insisted that was ``not an option'' yesterday.

Flintoff's spirits - and those of England fans everywhere - were raised over the last week when he was able to bowl and bat outdoors in public for the first time during breaks in play in his county's match against Somerset at Old Trafford.

And Moores insisted he had no doubts about sending Flintoff back into the fray.

``Over the last four of five days he's increased his intensity and bowled a bit more each day, and he came through very well today. So he's fit to play,''

Moores told Sky Sports.

``He's keen to get as much cricket in as he can before the Ashes.''

Lancashire physio Dave Roberts revealed the level of co-operation with the ECB that brought about Flintoff's return.

``Fred has been working extremely hard on his recovery and fitness and it has been carefully monitored by the England medical staff,'' said Roberts this morning.

``Dr Nick Pearce, the ECB's chief medical officer, and I have been working closely together and we felt that his knee had sufficiently recovered for him to return to action.

``The ECB medical team have been extremely supportive to me and Lancashire and now it's just a question of Fred getting in some time in the middle and overs under his belt.

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Flintoff told Sky Sports News: ``I was excited this morning - I passed a final fitness test before I got the nod. I was raring to go but just played a supporting role today.

``It came out alright to be honest. I've been bowling in the week at Old Trafford. I was a little bit rusty, there were a couple of wides, but besides that it was all right.

``If I had any worries (about fitness) I wouldn't be playing - I've come through with flying colours so far but I need to come back in the morning and do it all again.

``Nothing is set in stone for comeback - I'm just excited about getting back on the field."