andrew flintoff - still waiting for return to cricket

As part of his rehabilitation following major surgery to his knee, Andrew Flintoff had been pencilled in to take part in a one day match for Lancashire today (Monday August 2nd), but despite his progress the 32 year old all rounder has been withdrawn from the game following medical advice from the Lancashire County medical team.

Despite not being considered ready to take part in today’s contest against Yorkshire, it is reported that Flintoff may yet start for the county side in a three day game against the White Rose second team which starts on Tuesday.

It is thought that the slower pace of the three day game will be a better option for Flintoff to start his comeback, rather than risking him in the thick of the faster one day game.

Lancashire coach Peter Moores said;

“Nothing’s happened it’s just a case of them being happy with the level of conditioning around the knee and his general body so that when he does play he’s at minimum risk of getting injured again. It’s been a long rehab so far, and what they’re making sure is that it’s not rushed. It’s got to be right. They think, at the moment, that he’s not quite ready and ruled him out of the one-dayer, because there is slightly more violent running round in a one-dayer. They’ll assess where he is for the rest of the week.”

andrew flintoff - ashes 2009 cardiff

With England in such fine form since winning the Ashes last year, the name of Andrew Flintoff has been all but forgotten, temporarily at least.

The 32 year old all rounder has spent the past few months out of the cricket headlines, continuing his rehabilitation in Dubai, but it is still unclear whether surgery will put him back on the road to recovery or end his career altogether.

On a flying visit to Manchester from his Middle East base, Flintoff was understandably cagey when questioned about his future plans.

Although he has stated in the past about his desire to become a ‘freelance’ player and pick and choose when and where he played, several months on Flintoff appears unsure as to if and when he will be back playing cricket, at any level.

He told reporters in Manchester that his first task would be to get fit enough to be considered for the Lancashire County team, but was non committal on when that might be possible, despite being on record as targeting July or August in previous reports.

Flintoff clearly has a long slog ahead of him, something that he made quite clear in Manchester, saying:

“The goals at this stage are pretty short term. I’ve got to get back running first and then get a bat in my hand and a ball and take it from there. A lot’s been said about freelance cricket, and playing here there and everywhere – and I’d like to. There’s been chat about playing for an Australian side and various things. That’s all in the future. I’ve got some hard yards ahead of me in the next few months to be in position to do any of that.”

Lets hope that ‘Freddie’ can make a full recovery, for me, as a Twenty/20 freelancer the Indian Premier League would be the ideal final destination for one of England’s all time great players.

andrew flintoff

Andrew Flintoff has revealed that he has signed a three year contract with county club Lancashire that will see him play one day cricket only for the team and allows him the flexibility to pursue a lucrative one day career around the world.

The injury prone all rounder announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes series this year, saying that he wanted to focus on one day cricket in the future, but he did not feature in any of the recent One Day Internationals as he has been out of action with a knee injury since August.

In a statement on Lancashire CC website Flintoff said;

“I am delighted at being able to agree a new contract which enables me to remain at Old Trafford for the next three years. I have felt part of Lancashire ever since I first played here as a schoolboy and I want to help them achieve success. I have enjoyed many highs with England over the years, but I have not had the same success with Lancashire and thats something I want to address.

I am looking forward to being around the Lancashire dressing room more now I have retired from Test cricket and this contract will also give me the flexibility to play other forms of one-day cricket around the world, which hopefully help me develop as a player and in turn, help Lancashire and England.”

Flintoff already has a lucrative contract to feature in Twenty20 with Chennai in the Indian Premier League and hopes that when he is fully fit to play in ‘every England game except Test matches’, despite turning down a lower tier incremental contract with his country in September.

He has said that it is his goal to become the world’s best one day and Twenty20 player, fitness permitting.