Flintoff's decision to go freelance wins support.

Byline: RORY DOLLARD

ANDREW FLINTOFF has won backing from across the cricketing world for his controversial decision to sever his formal ties with the England & Wales Cricket Board and become a freelance one-day player.

Flintoff, who was ineligible for a more lucrative central contract having been forced into Test retirement with a chronic knee complaint, rejected the offer of an incremental deal that would have handed the ECB some jurisdiction over his playing schedule with only a fraction of the financial reward.

Instead, he intends to market himself as a 'gun for hire', playing in a series of money-spinning limited-overs competitions the world over.

He still plans to feature for England in 50 and 20-over cricket, but how the England hierarchy will react to the news remains uncertain.

r

A handful of senior figures within the game have defended the 31-yearold's decision, though. Australian Stuart Law, who played with Flintoff at Lancashire, backed his former teammate in the strongest possible terms.

Law believes his efforts in an England shirt earned him the right to turn down a second-tier deal, which he described as a "slap in the face".

Law said: "I'm sick and tired of hearing people saying he is just money grabbing.

"He's gone to hell and back for England.

"He's pretty much bowled himself into the dirt for them for a decade.

"I can understand his decision. He's more than done his time for England; he's played his heart out.

"He would have died for England so anyone who thinks he's selfish and grabbing the money needs to have a good hard look at themselves. Without him England are not very competitive so for them to offer what is basically a junior contract is a slap in the face."

There was also support from Sean Morris, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association.

He said: "In Andrew's case, it's a slightly unique example because over the last 10 years he's given his all to English cricket."