Flintoff rejects England contract to go freelance

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.

The 31-year-old, 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 in his goal to 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 website: "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 pounds, rather than the more lucrative central contract because of his retirement from Tests.

An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) spokesman told reporters here at Trent Bridge, where England were playing the fifth one-day international against Australia: "We have only just received the statement so we need some time to digest it properly and consider where the ECB stands before making a considered response."

Flintoff made the decision to turn down the England offer after consultation with his agent Andrew Chandler, best known for looking after top golfers including England's Lee Westwood.

Flintoff has reportedly been the target of interest from South Australia and Northerns in South Africa.

"I've been very lucky playing for England for the past 11 years and I've sampled different countries, but I've always wanted the opportunity to play more in these places, get to know them and the way they go about their cricket," Flintoff said.

Earlier this year, Flintoff played for Chennai Super Kings in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), sustaining a knee injury in the process, and already has the required no-objection certificate (NOC) from the ECB for the 2010 edition.

But under IPL rules he would still have to cut short his stay in the competition if required for England duty, regardless of his contractual situation with the ECB.

However, the refusal of Flintoff, whose career has been blighted by four ankle and two knee operations, to sign an incremental contract means he has more leverage in deciding where and when he plays rather than being at the beck and call of England coach Andy Flower.

Speaking from Dubai, where he is basing himself for the next few months of rehabilitation from an operation on his right knee, Flintoff said he would continue to take advice from his longstanding physiotherapist Dave Roberts, who has overseen all his rehabilitation for the past five years.

"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," said Flintoff.

"I am 31, I have played international cricket for 11 years and know my body's capabilities."

He added: "I am grateful to the ECB for the all the financial support they have given me to help in my rehabilitation. Their decision to pay for Dave Roberts's continued expertise to aid my recovery has been invaluable."

Flintoff has spent his entire county career with his native Lancashire and their chief executive, Jim Cumbes, said: "We are fully supportive of 'Fred's' ambitions and we hope to see him play a leading role for us in our one day team for years to come.

"We are currently in talks with 'Fred' and his management team about a new contract which will help support his goals and the ambitions of Lancashire."

Flintoff, provided his rehabilitation goes smoothly, hopes to return to international cricket on England's tour to Bangladesh in February, play for Chennai in the IPL and then compete in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies which starts in April.