Flintoff to retire from Test cricket

by Paul Gorst. Published Wed 15 Jul 2009 15:22

Andrew Flintoff will retire from Test cricket after The Ashes.

Flintoff, 31, reached the decision after admitting the injuries sustained throughout his career have finally caught up with him.

"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," said Flintoff, who intends to contiune his England career in a one-day format after The Ashes.

"I think 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 still struggling to overcome a knee injury in order to feature in the second Test at Lord's tomorrow, but remains confident of playing a part;

"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 declared.

"Over the next few weeks, I will do anything to get out on the cricket field. You have Twenty20 and one-day cricket. But to perform in the Ashes is the ultimate."