Goodbye Flintoff!!!
So here we have it - another prolific cricketer’s career has reached an early end due to a long-standing injury. Fast bowlers have always been exposed to injuries as compared to the slower ones or the batsmen owing to strenuous exertion on the field. English
all-rounder Andrew Flintoff announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after surrendering to his long-standing knee injury that has made him undergo a series of operations in just one year.
The 32-year-old Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket at the end of last year’s Ashes series, was aiming to make a comeback this season. However, the knee surgery he underwent soon after the Ashes series victory last year resulted in him choosing retirement
over cricket. The knee surgery kept Flintoff away from all forms of cricket for nearly one whole year. After dimmed prospects of participating in ODI cricket, the veteran aimed for T20 stints in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 and the Indian Premier League but his last meeting
with his surgeon, who had performed his knee surgery, led to what has long been dubbed as an unavoidable decision.
A disappointed Flintoff announced his decision with great sadness. "It is with both disappointment and sadness that I am today announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket," said the promising cricketer who has served the game for 12 exciting years.
The 6 foot 4 inch tall fast bowler said that the decision to end his career came on 15th September after his consultations with medical advisors. His doctor had informed Freddie that the problems he was trying to overcome through rehabilitation
after a series of surgeries would still not allow him to play again even after a complete recovery.
"The decision to end my career came yesterday after consultation with medical advisers. I was told that the problems I have been trying to overcome in rehab for the last year following the latest in a series of operations would not recover sufficiently to
allow a comeback.”
Flintoff, who played for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lancashire-c806 County Cricket Club in England’s domestic setup, said that after was informed by the surgeon that his body would not be able to stand up to the rigours of the game, he was left with no other option but to retire. The departing
cricketer thanked his family, country, county along with all his sponsors for their help and support throughout his career.
He also showed gratitude to his friends and advisers for guiding him through a successful career. Freddie said that he is indebted to the encouragement and support of the magnificent English supporters. He also thanked his overseas fans that always made
him feel at home on foreign tours.
Flintoff is going to end his career with a tally of 3394 runs in 141 ODIs at 32.01 with three centuries and 18 half-centuries with a best of 123. He also picked 169 wickets at an average of 24.38 including two 5-wicket hauls with a career best of 5 for 19.
In 79 Test appearances, Flintoff logged 3845 runs at an average of 31.77 including five centuries and 26 fifties. His Test-best of 167 came against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 at Edgbaston in 2004. He also claimed 226 wickets including three five-wicket hauls at 32.78.
England’s skipper Andrew Strauss paid glowing tributes to Flintoff ahead of England’s third ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 side at the Oval today. Strauss said that the entire English team was sad with his decision to retire from all forms of cricket. Strauss added
that they would rather prefer to celebrate Flintoff’s achievements for English cricket.
"I would just like to say on behalf of the England team we would like to congratulate Andrew on an outstanding career," Strauss said. "The impact he has had on English cricket has been immense.”
The English skipper praised his incredible capability of “making something happen out of nothing with both bat and ball.”
Flintoff did not say a word about his future plans. He said that he would now take a break before deciding on his future.
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