Andrew Flintoff has rejected the offer of an England incremental contract, the all-rounder announced on Tuesday, a move that effectively saw him become a freelance player.
Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket after England’s Ashes triumph last month and who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, said his decision would help him become the best one-day international player in the world.
While stressing he remained committed to both Lancashire and England, Flintoff said in a statement on his own Web site: “I said when I retired from Test cricket my ambition was to become the best one-day and Twenty20 player in the world and playing in all these different countries can only help.”
Flintoff was only available for an England incremental contract, worth some £30,000 (US$49,000), rather than the more lucrative central contract because of his retirement from Tests.
An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) spokesman told reporters that they would not react immediately.
Flintoff, currently recovering from knee surgery, retired from Test cricket after the end of England’s Ashes triumph last month because he said his injury-hit body could no longer stand the strain of the five-day game.
England captain Andrew Strauss told reporters: “I don’t know why he’s turned it down. We need to find out what the reasons are and then make an informed decision.”
“If ‘Freddie’ is committed to playing for England, he’s still a great asset for us in the shorter forms of the game,” he said.
Speaking from Dubai, where he is recuperating from an operation on his right knee, Flintoff said: “I was flattered to receive the offer of an incremental contract from the ECB, which I wasn’t really expecting, but at this stage of my career I don’t think I need to be told when to play and when to rest.”
“I am 31, I have played international cricket for 11 years and know my body’s capabilities,” he said.
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