Andrew Flintoff retires from cricket
England’s Ashes talisman Andrew Flintoff has retired from all forms of cricket.
The 32-year-old all-rounder had quit Test cricket following England’s 2009 Ashes victory, after which he underwent knee surgery, but had initially hoped to return to limited overs cricket for his country.
In a statement, Flintoff said the decision to end his career was made yesterday after consultation with medical advisors.
"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," Flintoff said.
"Having been told my body would no longer stand up to the rigours of cricket, I had no alternative [but to retire]. I will now be taking a break before deciding which future direction to take."
Freddie had batted to return to cricket since first going under the knife last summer and underwent a second round of surgery earlier this year and had at one stage hoped to return to county cricket for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lancashire-c806 before the end of the current season.
Those hopes were dashed at the start of August, with Lancashire CCC releasing a statement on the club’s website stating that the 32-year-old “will not be returning to competitive cricket for the remainder of the 2010 season.”
Today’s announcement, however, means the curtains have finally come down on the career of a player who at one stage in his career was regarded as the preeminent limited overs player in the world.
Flintoff retires from cricket having played 79 Tests, 141 ODIs and seven Twenty20 Internationals for England.
He will long be remembered for his inspirational performance in England’s 2005 Ashes victory over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, which saw his side take possession of the coveted urn for the first time since 1987.
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