LONDON (Reuters) – All-rounder Andrew Flintoff called time on one of the most colourful and inspirational careers in English cricket yesterday after years of battling a succession of injuries.
The 32-year-old announced his retirement from all forms of the game in a statement after being told by his doctor that his knee could no longer stand the rigours of top level sport.
Flintoff, a match-winner with bat and ball and a larger than life character in the dressing room, retired from test cricket last year following the Ashes victory over Australia but had retained hopes of continuing to play for Lancashire and England in shorter forms of the game.
Talking to Sky Sports News, Flintoff said the decision had been taken out of his hands.
“Speaking with my surgeon he said the operation I had 12 months ago had been fine but not good enough to start playing cricket again,” Flintoff said.
“I knew in my own mind it wasn’t right. It’s going to take a while to sink in. It’s one of those things where the decision has been made for me.
“It’s going to be difficult because it’s something I’ve done professionally for 17 years.”
Flintoff underwent knee surgery last August and needed a second operation in January before returning to training with Lancashire in June. Hopes of an early comeback were shelved, however, and he missed the entire county season.
He will always be remembered for his performances in the 2005 Ashes when his destructive bowling helped England beat Australia in a series for the first time since 1987.
Current captain Andrew Strauss said it was a sad day for English cricket.
“I would just like to say on behalf of the England team that we would like to congratulate Andrew on an outstanding career,” Strauss said in a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
