Peter Trego sent Andrew Flintoff packing for a first-ball duck today - but he believes England must pick the all-rounder even if he fails to make significant runs before the first Test against New Zealand.

Flintoff has a maximum eight chances left before next month's Lord's clash to put a score on the board.

Regardless of that, though, Somerset seamer Trego has no doubt Flintoff's fast bowling alone warrants inclusion in any team.

Speaking from personal experience - the Lancastrian had him caught behind on day one of the ongoing LV County Championship Division One match at Old Trafford - Trego is confident Flintoff is a match-winner with the ball.

"Anyone can nick a ball early on in their innings," said Trego, reflecting on the prize wicket which put him on a hat-trick in a see-saw contest which reached stumps on day two with Lancashire 221 for nine in reply to Somerset's 238 all out.

"But his bowling is outstanding," he added of a man who is playing only his second first-class match since undergoing a fourth bout of surgery on his left ankle last autumn.

"I obviously don't know how he's feeling physically. But if he feels fit, I'm pretty sure he'll be straight on that team sheet to face New Zealand - because he's a serious bowler."

As for the delivery which had Flintoff caught behind, Trego just wishes he had the knack more often of landing the ball on a perfect length and then swinging it away.

"I'd just love to bowl that every ball - if I was good enough I would, it's as simple as that," he said.

"I come from a few inches wider than normal; it was angling in and shaped away a foot - ideal.

"I just wish I could do it more often. If I knew the formula, I'd bottle it and sell it."

Trego had mixed feelings before the arrival at the crease of such an entertaining but dangerous opponent.

"(I thought) 30%, I wouldn't mind seeing him bat for half-an-hour; 70% I wouldn't mind nicking him off first ball," he recalled.

"Fortunately, I did that."

It was a measure of revenge too for Trego - who like wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter - fell to Flintoff's bowling on Wednesday.

"He got me with a pretty good one in the first innings when I was going pretty well, so it was nice to return the favour," he said.

It was during the first day that not just Trego but also his captain and former Australia Ashes-winner Justin Langer was mightily impressed by Flintoff.

Trego reported: "He looked really fit, bowled a couple of eight-over spells at his usual near 90mph and had full control of what he was doing.

"He is a real challenge to face, gives you nothing to hit - and 'JL' said he is probably one of the best bowlers he's ever faced."

Just in case England's selectors remain to be convinced, word from the Lancashire camp is that runs are sure to flow soon - because Flintoff is in ominous form in the nets.

"He just needs time in the middle," explained opener Paul Horton, who himself contributed 64 to the cause.

"In the nets, he's hitting the ball as well as I've ever seen him.

"He looks the best out of us; he's hitting the ball very hard, as he always does.

"He just needs games under his belt - he could get a hundred next innings."

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