Andrew "Freddy" Flintoff to retire from test cricket

mike65

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article6713860.ece

Pity but probably right.

Royale with Cheese

Yeah can't say I'm surprised. It's probably good for England and himself that he's made the decision, otherwise they would have been flogging a dead horse until he was at least 35.

End of an era I suppose.

Trojan

I am very surprised. Hadn't realised how injury-ridden he's been lately. Great shame, massive player and should have quite a few seasons left.

dereko1969

i think there could well be more of this, note he has specifically stated he'll still be available for ODIs and 20/20 games, and obviously for the IPL which is where the money is, anyone over 30 with a few injuries on board may well take similar decisions knowing they'll make more money from the IPL than anywhere else.
England should probably start revising their centrally contracted player list to only include those available for Test matches, otherwise they'll end up with a B team for Tests and their better team for the limited over games which isn't the way things should be imo.

d'Oracle

Trojan wrote: »

I am very surprised. Hadn't realised how injury-ridden he's been lately.

Really?

He was constantly out.

Shame, but the right decision.

Royal Seahawk

The begining of the end for Test Cricket.

Chucky the tree

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

The begining of the end for Test Cricket.

The timing of the annoucement sums Freddy up, attention seeking knob. I don't know how he is still loved in England after the 07 ashes and the WC.

d'Oracle

I disagree.

The lad has been falling apart for a while now.
After how he played on in the Windies, despite the fact that he was having obvious trouble with his hip, says it all.

You only need a rudimentary knowledge of how the body works to see how tough fast bowling is on the body. Long spells in test matches must be murder.

He has made the right decision, the timing is probably due to the fact that he is injured again. Plus it might rev up the team to put a performance or two to see him off. God knows England need something to get them going.

Dozen Wicked Words

He was a terrible captain of the last ashes, but he didn't have much of a team. In the grand scheme of things his bowling will be missed, not because he is a superstar with the ball anymore, but because the rest of the attack is so lacklustre.

d'Oracle

dooferoaks wrote: »

He was a terrible captain of the last ashes, but he didn't have much of a team. In the grand scheme of things his bowling will be missed, not because he is a superstar with the ball anymore, but because the rest of the attack is so lacklustre.

Bar Jimmy Anderson.

Dan Dare

d'Oracle wrote: »

Bar Jimmy Anderson.

Ian Botham was hardly a great success as a captain, and lots of great cricketers have struggled with their own game when given the captaincy. Andrew Flintoff is a catalyst, in that he had an aura that could change a game and electrify the crowd. Not sure about the timing of his announcement though.

d'Oracle

Dan Dare wrote: »

Ian Botham was hardly a great success as a captain, and lots of great cricketers have struggled with their own game when given the captaincy. Andrew Flintoff is a catalyst, in that he had an aura that could change a game and electrify the crowd. Not sure about the timing of his announcement though.

Erm.....What has that got to do with my exception of Jimmy Anderson?

Washout

All cricketers these days seem to announce their retirement just before or during their last series.

hayden,
gillie
jayasuriya as examples

d'Oracle

Washout wrote: »

All cricketers these days seem to announce their retirement just before or during their last series.

hayden,

Hayden didnt he get an open top truck driving him and his kids around the pitch at his last test? That was disgusting.

Vaughan didnt retire in a series......:pac: