Flintoff doubtful for rest of Ashes

September 30th, 2009 LONDON - Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff has said that Steve Harmison is the man to spearhead England's Test side following his own retirement. Durham ace Harmison has been mulling over his international future this summer after being denied a central contract.

August 18th, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff says his retirement from Test cricket will not be a distraction for the team in the last Ashes Test at the Brit Oval. FLintoff expects to be fit for the fifth Test against Australia that starts Thursday as he continues to battle with the knee injury that forced him to call time on his Test career.

August 7th, 2009 LEEDS - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been ruled out of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia that begins here from today. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting last night with captain Andrew Strauss and head coach Andy Flower.

August 4th, 2009 LONDON - Captain Andrew Strauss said that England can win the Ashes series without their maverick all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Flintoff, who will retire after the series, has been on pain killers to ease the inflamation on his troublesome right knee.

August 3rd, 2009 EDGBASTON - England cricketer Andrew Flintoff has expressed confidence that the cricketing relations between England and Australia would not turn sour following the verbal exchanges between both sides during the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. The 31 year-old all rounder reckoned that the exchange is a part of the competitive nature of the prestigious Ashes cricket, and said, that neither side had over-stepped boundaries of acceptable behaviour.

July 23rd, 2009 LONDON - England off-spinner Graeme Swann has described the exit of star batsman Kevin Pietersen from the remaining three Tests of the ongoing Ashes series as a major blow for the hosts, but believes that having all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be enough to win back the Ashes. In article for The Sun, Swann recalls his over two-decade-long association with Flintoff, and says that he still retains the power and skill of yore to tear through the Australian batting line up.

July 22nd, 2009 LONDON - England team director Andy Flower feels that his team could win the Ashes even without Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff even as speculation mounted over the pair's fitness for the rest of the series against Australia. Both players will be assessed by medical staff this week - Pietersen has Achilles tendon trouble, Flintoff a sore right knee - as England prepare for next week's third Test at Edgbaston.

July 19th, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has sparked speculation over his ability to last in the Ashes series as he had to leave the field due to his troublesome knee on the fourth day of the ongoing second Test Sunday. Flintoff, who has announced retirement from the Test cricket after the Ashes series, claimed two wickets in the new ball spell before calling for treatment on his suspect knee, The Times reported.

July 15th, 2009 LONDON - England all rounder Andrew Flintoff is ready to quit Test cricket at the end of this Ashes series. Flintoff, who has been afflicted with constant injuries, wants to quit five-day matches to prolong his career for England as an ODI and Twenty20 player.

June 30th, 2009 LONDON - All rounder Andrew Flintoff has warned his England team-mates to avoid basking in the memory of their 2005 Ashes triumph. Flintoff, fit again after a knee operation, insists England must look forward as they bid to beat the Australians this summer.

June 26th, 2009 LONDON - With just 11 days left for the first Ashes Test, England cricket fans found something to cheer as charismatic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff came back from injury with a glitzy 93 from 41 balls for Lancashire in a Twenty20 match. Flintoff's 93 guided Lancashire to their highest Twenty20 score of 220 for five against Derbyshire.

June 17th, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is almost certain to make his way back into the team for the Ashes. Flintoff, who has been out of action for nearly three months after undergoing a knee surgery, showed signs that he is ready to take the field once again when he took six wickets in his comeback match against Durham last week.

June 12th, 2009 LONDON - England all rounder Andrew Flintoff has said that he is confident about making it to the Ashes squad, and he proved it by knocking over former Aussie opener Michael De Venuto with his second ball. According to The Sun, Flintoff was included at the last minute by Lancashire for the four-day match against Durham after seamer Tom Smith was injured in the warm-ups.

June 12th, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff Friday made a comeback to competitive cricket for Lancashire and is upbeat about his performance in the Ashes. Flintoff, surprisingly handed a starting slot by coach Peter Moores just six weeks after surgery on a troublesome knee forced him out of the IPL, claimed a wicket in just two balls of his comeback.

June 11th, 2009 LONDON - Injured all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has brightened England's chances in the forthcoming Ashes series against Australia by announcing he will be fit for the tournament. Flintoff has made a quick recovery from a knee operation and has revealed that he has suffered no ill-effects from strenuous bowling sessions over the past few days, adding he could return to playing for Lancashire against Durham by Friday.