Flintoff to retire from Tests after the Ashes

England and Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has announced his retirement from Test cricket following the conclusion of his involvement in the current npower Ashes Test series.

Despite Flintoff’s recurrent injury problems, the news will come as a major shock to England fans – and a huge blow to the team’s Ashes hopes.

Flintoff is currently struggling to be fit for the second npower Test at Lord’s and there must be a chance that he has already played his last Test.

Flintoff says that he will continue to make himself available for selection for One-Day Internationals and International Twenty20 fixtures.

After making his Test debut for England against South Africa in 1998 the 31-year-old has gone on to play 75 Tests for his country.

Flintoff said: “My body has told me it’s time to stop. Since 2005 I’ve had two years when I’ve done nothing but rehab from one injury or another.
“It’s been something I’ve been thinking about for a while and I think this last problem I’ve had with my knee has confirmed to me that the time is now right.”