Freddie to bow out after Ashes

England cricketing hero Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff is to retire from Test cricket after the ongoing Ashes series. Flintoff has had a series of serious injuries in the last 18 months, and his most recent knee injury has prompted him to call time on his stop-start career.

Flintoff will be remembered most by English fans for his incredible individual performances in the 2005 Ashes series in this country. In his first series against the old enemy he lifted the crowd when times were hard, he had the wool over Adam Gilchrist through the whole of the summer, and he completely rattled a side that, prior to arriving in England, looked invincible. The most touching moment of that series came after the dismissal of Michael Kasprowicz at Edgbaston, in what has been touted the greatest Test Match of all time. Flintoff's gesture of consolation and admiration for Brett Lee left goosebumps on the skin of even the 'hardest' cricket fans.

Throughout his career Flintoff found himself on the back page of the paper on numerous occasions, sometimes for the wrong reasons. He was seen staggering out of number 10 Downing Street following England's victory in 2005, although that's understandable and indeed, forgivable. In 2007 he made the headlines for taking a drunken trip on a pedalo during the World Cup, the same night as England's opening match defeat to New Zealand. And in 2009, just days before the commencement of the Ashes, he missed a team bus heading for the memorial of those who died in World War II. Flintoff has always had a 'bad boy' side to him, as did Ian Botham, whom Andrew Flintoff constantly gets compared to. Botham was the prime example of the bad boy cricketer, spending numerous evenings in nightclubs, and at one point, when England captain, banning the whole team from training. Perhaps Flintoff can be forgiven, due to his phenominal ability with a cricket ball.

Not only have Flintoff's misdemeanours made the headlines in the past, but an injury-ridden career has had it's fair share of articles.

1999 -Returns from his maiden international tour, of South Africa, early with a broken foot.

2000- A back injury rules him out of the tour to Pakistan.

2002- Delays a hernia operation in an attempt to complete the tour of India, but ends up missing the final Test Match.
Also misses the chance to make his Ashes debut, after suffering with a groin problem.

2003- Plays in the World Cup in South Africa, but misses out on home Tests against Zimbabwe with a shoulder injury, picked up after being hit in the nets by fellow Lancastrian Sajid Mahmood.

2005- Returns from South Africa after Test Matches to have ankle surgery, prompting him to miss the One-Day Internationals. Luckily for him and England, he is fit for the home season, including the victorious Ashes series in which he played a major part.

2006- Captains England against Sri Lanka but is then set back by another ankle injury and more surgery, keeping him out of action for 12 weeks. He returns to captain England in the Ashes down under.

2007- More surgery for Flintoff after the Caribbean World Cup, and misses most of the home season before returning for the One-Day Internationals against India. However, he doesn't play a full part in the series, because of, you guessed it, more ankle trouble.
Limps through the World Twenty20 and requires more surgery after. He misses the winter Internationals.

2008- Was due to play against New Zealand at home but picks up a side strain while bowling for Lancashire. His comeback is delayed for the second Test Match against South Africa at Headingly.

2009- Returns from the West Indies after the third Test with a hip injury, but returns for the ODI's.
IPL stint with Chennai Super Kings is cut short after a knee injury, and he is kept out of the World Twenty20 in England soon after.
Knee swells up again during 1st Test of the Ashes, and announces retirement from Test Match cricket soon after.

There is no doubt that Andrew Flintoff has been one of England's greatest all-rounders of all time. His big frame, vociferous character, and tremendous ability on the cricket field quickly made him a fan's favourite. Without Flintoff in the side, England are a weaker side, and he will be greatly missed in the Test arena. Lets hope that this particular decision has a positive affect on England's One-Day fortunes, and if he can stay fit, he still has a lot to offer his country. That's a big 'if' though. He will continue his contract with Chennai in the IPL also, allowing him freedom to play - something he relishes. Thank you Fred, for being a truly fantastic servant to English cricket.