Flintoff to undergo knee surgery after Oval Test

September 16th, 2009 NOTTINGHAM - Australian skipper Ricky Ponting expects more cricketers to follow Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Symonds in going freelance. Flintoff has rejected an incremental contract with his country and is reportedly been the target of interest from South Australia and Northerns in South Africa.

September 7th, 2009 LONDON - England cricket hero Andrew Flintoff is suffering from deep vein thrombosis in his right calf after knee surgery. The 31-year-old all-rounder underwent an operation following the conclusion of this summer's Ashes tournament.

August 30th, 2009 LONDON - England all rounder Andrew Flintoff is praying that the 2,500 pound machine strapped around his knee will save his cricket career. The Lancashire all-rounder has to strap himself to the contraption for eight hours every day as he starts his gruelling rehabilitation from his latest operation.

August 24th, 2009 LONDON - Andrew Flintoff signed off from Test cricket with Ashes glory and declared that Stuart Broad would adequately make up for his absence. The 31-year-old said: "What a Test for Stuart Broad - I think once I've gone, they're not going to be missing me.

August 19th, 2009 LONDON - Australian vice captain Michael Clarke has said that his side has no intention of chasing a draw in the decisive Ashes Test that starts tomorrow at The Oval. "I don't think we should start that way, no," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

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 13th, 2009 LONDON - Former pace legend Jeff Thompson has said that England has no chance of winning the Ashes, because Australia no longer fears Andrew Flintoff. "Bringing Flintoff back for the final Test at The Oval next week won't fool our blokes.

August 11th, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has got the green light to make his emotional Test farewell in the Ashes decider at The Oval. Freddie's specialist is reported to have told him on Monday that his wonky right knee can withstand five more days' cricket.

August 10th, 2009 LEEDS - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will meet his surgeon on Monday to determine if he can play at the Oval and further delay an operation on his right knee. Flintoff had been desperate to play a full part in the series, but skipper Andrew Strausssaid he would not be selected at the Oval if medical opinion stated he would not be able to bowl for long periods.

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.

July 29th, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff needed two more injections and has been sleeping with an ice-pack around his right knee to ensure his participation in the ongoing Ashes test series. All the evidence suggests that the medical treatment is working and that the all-rounder will be ready to build on his man-of-the-match performance at Lords by taking on Australia again at Edgbaston in the third Test starting Thursday.

July 21st, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is determined to lift the Ashes urn no matter what is the state of his troublesome left knee. Flintoff courage inspired England to win the second Test against Australia at Lord's here Monday and go up 1-0 in the series.

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 coach Andy Flower is optimistic that his key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be ready in time for the second Ashes Test starting Thursday at Lord's. Flintoff's right knee, operated recently, ballooned during the first Test against Australia in Cardiff.

June 2nd, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is not sure whether he will be fit in time for the Ashes series starting July 8. Flintoff, who was bought by Chennai Super Kings for a record $1.55 million, tore his cartilage while playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa.