STEVEN Croft is backing Andrew Flintoff to shine for Brisbane Heat in their Big Bash T20 campaign, which starts for them tomorrow.

Croft believes his Lancashire team-mate will benefit from a smoother preparation period for the tournament, which has seen him injury free and without a hectic TV schedule.

When Flintoff came out of retirement to play for the Red Rose club last summer, he was hampered by a calf injury and media commitments, which restricted him to only three matches.

Still, the veteran all-rounder still returned a trio of impressive performances, with six wickets, including the scalp of Ian Bell with his first ball in the final defeat against Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston.

Later in that match, the 37-year-old hit 20 not out off eight balls to nearly get his side home in their pursuit of 182. They lost by four runs.

Flintoff is set to play in all of the Big Bash, including a debut against Sydney Thunder tomorrow, having previously been scheduled to play only the second half of the competition after Christmas.

Heat coach Stuart Law has been hit with a late injury to West Indies spinner Samuel Badree, opening the door for the ex-England skipper.

Lancashire cricket director and head coach Ashley Giles will then sit down with Flintoff upon his return to Manchester next month to discuss a new deal for 2015 at Emirates Old Trafford.

“He was looking really good in the summer, but he then had a little niggle and had some media commitments as well, which set him back,” said fellow all-rounder Croft.

“But once he knew he was going over to Brisbane, he had a few months to get himself in shape. He knew his task, and that should help him.

“He’s got something special, whether it’s with bat, ball or in the field, and he’s a showman, which I’m sure he will show again whenever he plays in this competition.

“He did himself proud with his performances for us. Every game, he did something. But he’s one of those players who changes games. Unfortunately in that final, it wasn’t quite enough, although he still had a good game.

“Hopefully we see him back with us next year in a Lancashire shirt. His experience will be massive for us.

“All-rounders are great to have, but any team in the country would want him in their side.”