Flintoff is part of the line-up for Lancashire Lightning as they travel to the Citylets Grange, with the star England player kick-starting his bid to return to the international scene after a long injury lay-off.

Also likely to travel are fellow England bowlers Sajid Mahmood and James Anderson, along with a galaxy of other top international players, including, Mal Loye, Stuart Law, Brad Hodge and Glen Chapple.

This year’s ‘league cup’ format divides the participating teams into four groups of five, with the Saltires in the Northern section, the top two in each group progressing to the quarter-finals on June 4.

Defending champions Durham have already got off to a winning start with a narrow victory over Yorkshire last Sunday, while Lancashire’s match with Derbyshire Scorpions was abandoned in the rain.

Selectors have named 13 players for the Lloyds TSB Scotland team for Sunday’s game. They are: Ryan Watson (Forfarshire, captain); Richie Berrington, Dewald Nel (both Greenock); John Blain (Rotherham); Ed Cowan (Uddingston); Gordon Drummond (Watsonians); Gordon Goudie (West of Scotland); Gavin Hamilton (East Brierly); Majid Haq (Ferguslie); Neil McCallum (Grange); Glenn Rogers (Stenhousemuir); Colin Smith (Aberdeenshire); Fraser Watts (Carlton).

Saltires captain Ryan Watson, fresh from his score of 91 at Lords against the MCC, is upbeat about his sides prospects:

"We know we’re in the toughest group in the competition," he said. "There will be no easy fixtures, particuarly the opener against Lancashire, when Flintoff will be trying to impress the England selectors. But at least we’ll get a look at him on our own patch before the big game against England in August."

"As for ourselves,we are trying to increase the depth of our squad, and to get the balance between youth and experience right in every match."

Admission is £15, the match starts at 12 noon, and the gates open at 10.45am.