Andrew Flintoff to retire from Test cricket after 2009 Ashes

English talisman all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, struggling to be fit for tomorrow’s second Ashes test, has said he will succumb to his multitudinous injuries and retire from Test cricket at the end of the current series.

Flintoff has arguably been England‘s best bowler for many years now but has missed more than half of their Tests in the last four years with knee and ankle ailments.

In the most recent match in Cardiff, he was restricted to short spells among his 35 overs for an analysis of one for 128.

“I’ve had four ankle operations and knee surgery, so my body is telling me things, and I’m actually starting to listen,” Flintoff said.

“I can’t just play games here and there while waiting to be fit. For my own sanity, and for my family’s, I’ve got to draw a line under it. I’ve been going through two years of rehab in the past four, which is not ideal.”

The knee injury is the one that continues to bother him in this series, but he is taking cortisone injections and looks likely to soldier on for one more campaign.

Flintoff will remain available for one-day and Twenty20 matches for England, but will surely be looking now towards the Indian Premier League for a big final pay day, as have retired greats from other countries in the last two seasons like Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist.