Andrew Flintoff emerged from the worst week of his international career to steer England to an emphatic opening victory in the NatWest Triangular Series against Zimbabwe under Old Trafford's lights last night.

The 6ft 5in giant has attracted more attention for the size of his waist-line than the weight of his runs recently, with England admitting their concern over his attitude and dedication to his career.

Some have even questioned their faith in a player who has hardly sparkled since scoring a half-century on his one-day international debut against Pakistan in Sharjah, reaching double figures only twice in nine appearances since.

But on the day Alec Stewart equalled the world record for the number of one-day dismissals by a wicket-keepr, with the pressure on and expectations higher in front of his home crowd, Flintoff responded with a superb 42 to kick-start both England's tournament and perhaps his international career.

He arrived at the crease with England having lost captain Alec Stewart while Marcus Trescothick followed soon after to spark fears of a collapse even though they were only chasing Zimbabwe's 114 for victory.

Unlike his disappointing display at the Oval, however, Flintoff resisted his attacking instincts.

He took five overs to find his range, but once he did, Flintoff tore into Zimbabwe's attack by hitting two sixes off successive Paul Strang overs and three other boundaries in his 45-ball innings to seal England's eight wickets win and claim the man-of-the-match award.

''Not bad for a fat lad,'' declared Flintoff in reference to the numerous ''Fat Boy'' and ''Vast Bowler'' headlines which have dogged him since withdrawing from Sunday's wash-out against the West Indies with a recurrence of back trouble.

This time, selected as a specialist batsman and promoted to No 3, he was able to take his time before hitting his first boundary, a superbly-timed drive through the covers off left-arm seamer Bryan Strang.

His innings was by no means perfect, twice he played and missed outside off-stump, but it was his most significant innings at either Test or one-day level.

His aggression, helped by Graeme Hick's positive approach, enabled the pair to add 58 off 48 deliveries and complete the triumph, the quickest of the tournament so far with 29.3 overs to spare.

Labelled as ''shambolic'' in the field after their five-wicket defeat by Zimbabwe at The Oval last Saturday by chairman of selectors David Graveney, the criticism hit home and they were transformed into a vibrant and energetic fielding unit.

They were helped by a lack-lustre Zimbabwe display which indicated they may have already relaxed having booked their place in the July 22 Lord's final.

Instead of the determined batting and running between the wickets, they lost early wickets before losing four for 10 in nine overs and their last three wickets failed to score.

Stewart equalled the world record for one-day internationals set by Australia's Adam Gilchrist against South Africa at Cape Town last April, after a succession of Zimbabwe batsman offering lame shots to England's accurate line and length.

Perhaps the biggest indication that fortune was finally smiling on England, though, was the success of Trescothick, used as a bowler because of Flintoff's inability to recover from his bad back, who responded by claiming two wickets in 10 deliveries.