Return of The Ashes feels like a dream, says Flintoff

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 6th, 2009 ORKSHIRE - England captain Andrew Strauss says that he is realistic about all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's chances of playing in the fourth Ashes Test starting at the Headingly cricket ground here from tomorrow. "It is the fourth Test of an Ashes series, we are close to the finishing line and although we are all desperate for him to play we need to be realistic enough to realise if he's not fit, he shouldn't play," The Independent quoted Strauss, as saying.

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 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 7th, 2009 MELBOURNE - If former Australian Test cricketer dean Jones is to be believed, the first Test in Cardiff will probably end before five days. According to Jones, it is a new pitch with a crusty surface and is likely to turn from day one.

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 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 14th, 2009 LONDON - Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar feels England's challenge in the Ashes this summer lies heavily on the shoulders of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen. The eagerly-awaited series between England and Australia begins in Cardiff July 8, with the home side seen as the underdogs to regain the coveted urn.

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.

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.

May 29th, 2009 LONDON - England all rounder Andrew Flintoff believes his Ashes dream is still alive, despite being ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup due to injury. England pulled their talismanic all-rounder out of the tournament, which starts from June 5, as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.