ANDY Flintoff was again the talk of English cricket last week when he fired a superb 137 in 106 balls in Lancashire's County Championship game with Surrey.

The all-rounder is perhaps the most unpredictable cricketer in the country, especially with the bat.

For so long he has been the nearly man of the sport. Flintoff is the kind of young talent described as 'promising', a euphemism for someone that has not managed to make the grade.

It is seven years since Preston-born Flintoff made his debut for Lancashire. After impressing with his county, he was fast-tracked in to the England set-up in 1998, the same year he was voted the PCA's Young Player of the Year.

But his Test career has never really got going through worrying inconsistency. His critics have been harsh for activities both on and off the field of play, the ECB expressed concerns over his fitness and weight in summer 2000.

Following another troubled mini-tour of India at the turn of the year, Flintoff and the England party moved on to New Zealand. It was make or break for the 24-year-old's career - especially after scores of 0, 0, 4, 0, 4 and 18 in his previous six Test innings.

In the First Test in Christchurch he scored a magnificent maiden test century, hitting New Zealand all over the park with 137 runs in 163 balls, and establishing an England record sixth wicket partnership with Graham Thorpe.

On Thursday he will hope to continue the rejuvenation of his international career as he is likely to turn out for England in the First Test match of the summer against Sri Lanka at Lord's.

Flintoff, who has now played in 15 Tests, admits: "That century made it a wonderful winter for me, just a magnificent time that I will always remember.

"Scoring a century for your country, and especially the way I did it, is just the greatest thing a cricketer can hope for. I went out there just looking to not get a duck again, and then just kept at it.

"I'd like to think I can build on that score, and achieve more consistency.

"I've taken a lot of stick over the last few years, some of it justified. That's why I knew that I had to improve or I would be finished with England.

"I really felt that I was treading water, so I discussed my situation with a group of people, including Neil Fairbrother, and we put together a plan of action that would get me back on track. I wanted to show that I was putting my cricket first so I phoned England coach Duncan Fletcher and volunteered for the ECB Academy, so that I could work at my game with the best coaches and facilities.

"Although there is still a lot to be done, I feel that I'm reaping the rewards of my change of direction."

The reward is in the shape of a central contract from the ECB - after missing out last year - which suggests he is figuring heavily in Nasser Hussein's plans for the visits of Sri Lanka and then India.

"The contract itself gives you a lot of confidence because it shows that you are being thought about in a long-term way," adds Flintoff. "There isn't that short-term pressure.

"You have that little bit more time, and although I would never count my chickens about always staying in the team, I would hope to feature prominently.

"I'm really looking forward to playing at Old Trafford for England in June. It will be great to have the Lancashire crowd behind me, especially as they probably won't see as much of me this summer at county level."

While he can now look ahead with a little more confidence to a long and successful career, it is little more than a year since Flintoff was so ravaged by a back injury that he thought he might not be able to bowl again.

From being a young teenager, Flintoff has been affected by curvature of the spine.

"I was really worried, the pain was getting to the point that I was seriously prepared for the worst," he recalls.

"But again I decided to get good people around me that could help me turn things around. Together we put a fitness plan together which could build the strength in my back.

"Particular emphasis was put on building up my stomach muscles, which would let me relax the back a little more. Now everything is fine, other than the twinges that any sportsman would expect."

So while the current emphasis is on England, Flintoff's excellent knock last week shows that he wants to do as much for Lancashire as he can when not on international duty.

He now has the added responsibility of vice captain under new skipper Warren Hegg, and admits that he hopes to one day lead his county.

"I would love to be captain of Lancashire one day," he reflects. "But for me it's a great honour just to be named vice captain.

"I'm certainly backing Warren all the way in his new role.

"But it is something that I have thought about, I'd like to try my hand at a lot of the tactical side of things which a captain does."