LANCASHIRE youngster Andrew Flintoff has earned his reward for his flamboyant innings during England's opening warm-up match by being selected for today's day-night match against a strong Pakistan A line-up.

The 21-year-old was regarded very much as a reserve player with Adam Hollioake expected to win the vote for the coveted number six spot as batsman-bowler all-rounder. But his swashbuckling 112 off 67 balls - against England's attack as he was lent to Lahore Gymkhana's side - has changed the selectors' thoughts.

Instead of Hollioake starting the opening game against a Pakistan A side featuring Test players Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younis and Hasan Raza, Flintoff has been given the nod while Angus Fraser has also been overlooked having conceded 66 runs in his 10 overs on Thursday.

Otherwise, the line-up is as expected with Nick Knight and captain Alec Stewart opening and Graeme Hick, who has already been pencilled in as a possible sixth bowler for the World Cup after claiming one for 12 from six overs in the opening match, coming in at number three.

Lancashire's Ian Austin, very much a surprise pick for the World Cup squad, is also included alongside a full-strength attack featuring Darren Gough, Alan Mullally, Mark Ealham and spinner Robert Croft.

These weekend's matches complete England's warm-up period in Lahore, prior to departing for Dubai on Monday where they will base themselves for the Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah against India and Pakistan.

But hopes from both the England management and the players that the contract wranglings for the World Cup could be resolved prior to the start of the tournament are unlikely to be realised.

Captain Alec Stewart is yet to receive a contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board, whose offer is expected to fall well short of that hoped for by the players.

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