LONDON – Andrew Flintoff has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket “with disappointment and sadness”.
The injury-plagued all-rounder, 32, revealed the decision came after consultation with medical advisers.
“Having been told my body would no longer stand up to the rigours of cricket, I had no alternative,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lancashire star Flintoff played a key role in England’s Ashes successes of 2005 and 2009 but had been dogged by ankle and knee problems in his career.
“I was told the problems I have been trying to overcome in rehab for the last year, following the latest of a series of operations, would not recover sufficiently to allow a comeback,” he stated.
“I would like to thank my family, Lancashire, England, all my sponsors, friends and advisers for all the help and support they have given me throughout my career.
“Last, but by no means least, I am indebted to the encouragement and support I have always received from England’s magnificent supporters.
“I will now be taking a break before deciding which future direction to take.”
Flintoff retired from Test cricket at the end of the 2009 Ashes series, having a second knee operation two days later, while turning down the offer of a new central contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
However, he repeatedly expressed his desire “to be the best One-Day player in the world” . (BBC.co.uk)
