Flintoff Retires From Test Cricket

Crocker · 07-15-2009, 11:40 AM

Looks like Freddie needs some time off

Quote:

Andrew Flintoff says his decision to retire from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes is "for my own sanity".

Flintoff admitted the succession of injuries that have ravaged his career in recent years have finally taken their toll.

He plans to concentrate his efforts on the one-day format after this summer in a bid to prolong his England career.

"Excuse the pun, but it's not a knee-jerk reaction, it's something I've been thinking about for a while. It's just the timing of it," Flintoff said.

"I think with this latest thing with my knee, seeing the surgeon Monday and having jabs in it, my body is telling me it's time to give in.

"For my own sanity I can't keep going through rehabilitation, I think I've done two years in the past four, just rehab all the way through.

"I've got four Test matches, and I'll give my utmost for England to try and contribute to an Ashes win, so that's what I'm focusing on over the next few weeks."

Flintoff is confident of overcoming his latest knee injury - a recurrence of the problem that required an operation in April - to play in the second Ashes Test at Lord's, although a final decision will not be made until Thursday morning.

"I've bowled a few overs and we'll make the final decision in the morning, just to check everything is fine, and have another bowl before they announce the final team, but I'm very hopeful at this stage," he added.

The 31-year-old explained he felt he had to make his decision public to help him perform to his best for the remainder of the summer.

"I just wanted to get it out there, and tell people what I intended to do. I think the time now is right," he said.

"Over the next few weeks, I will do anything to get out on the cricket field."

Flintoff's finest hour came in the 2005 Ashes series when he starred with bat and ball as England ended an 18-year drought against Australia with a 2-1 series win.

His recollections of that series remain vivid - and he has far from given up hope of history repeating itself.

"It was a special group of cricketers we had," he recalled.

"We were confident of doing something special, and standing there on that podium at the Oval after the last Test match is something I will remember for a long time - I hope I can do that again.

"You have Twenty20 and one-day cricket. But to perform in the Ashes is the ultimate."

skysports

Flintoff Retires From Test Cricket

This is a discussion on Flintoff Retires From Test Cricket within the European Sports forums, part of the Sports Forums category; Looks like Freddie needs some time off Andrew Flintoff says his decision to retire from Test cricket at the end ...