Flintoff continues return

Flintoff, who underwent a fourth operation on his left ankle last autumn and had not played for his county since the innings thrashing of Yorkshire in the Roses match last August, was unable to match his bowling efforts of the first two days with the bat.

The 30-year-old England all-rounder's brisk innings, which included hitting Chris Jordan for three consecutive fours, was over in less than 30 minutes after he edged a doosra from spinner Saqlain Mushtaq which was held by Mark Butcher at first slip.

Responding to Surrey's first-innings total of 537 for five declared, Lancashire finished the third day at the Brit Oval on 241 for six.

Hampshire added 15 runs for the loss of one wicket to their overnight score of 304 as their match against defending champions Sussex at the Rose Bowl was hit by weather.

Michael Lumb was the only wicket to fall in the morning session when he added five runs to his overnight 77 before he fell lbw trying to push an innocuous ball from Robin Martin-Jenkins to leg.

There was no further play as the heavens opened shortly before lunch with Greg Lamb (26 not out) and Dimitri Mascarenhas (three) set to continue on day four.

Azhar Mahmood hit a superb 116 to help Kent recover from 85 for five to reach 278 for eight in the second innings of their match against Nottinghamshire at Canterbury.

Resuming on 14 without loss in response to Notts' declaration at 434 for nine, Martin van Jaarsveld's 79 offered the only early resistance as Darren Pattinson and Paul Franks ran through the top order.

Mahmood though dug in and brought up his century in 126 balls which included 14 fours and three sixes before he was caught by Charlie Shreck off England spinner Graeme Swann.