ANDREW Flintoff underlined his value to England with a superb all-round display to keep them on course for a comprehensive victory over Bangladesh in the opening one-day international today.

The Lancashire all-rounder claimed career-best figures of four for 14 as Bangladesh, searching for only their second one-day victory over a Test-playing nation, were dismissed for 143 inside 44.4 overs. But his contribution did not end there with Flintoff, man of the series during England's triangular tournament triumph last summer, hitting an unbeaten 23 off 20 balls to guide his side out of potential trouble in reply as they reached 86 for three by the end of the 15 overs of fielding restrictions.

Flintoff's pace and bounce unsettled Bangladesh to such an extent that they lost five wickets for one run in only 14 balls and left them tottering on the brink at 66 for seven.

England, though, were unable to find the killer instinct and allowed Bangladesh's lower order to add 77 for the last three wickets and at least reach double figures.

It took Flintoff to finally end the innings when he returned and removed last man Tapash Baisya while Ashley Giles signalled his return to form by claiming three for 29.

They began impressively in reply with Marcus Trescothick and Vikram Solanki racing to an opening partnership of 38 in only eight overs, but both fell in successive balls while captain Michael Vaughan fell cheaply three overs later.