Andrew Flintoff Announces His Retirement
Will Quit Test Cricket After the Ashes
There has only been one constant in Andrew Flintoff’s career: the undying love of English cricket fans. They have stayed loyal through countless injuries, inexplicable losses of form and many disciplinary problems. Most of the successes - and problems - were invariably linked to alcohol. A visibly intoxicated Flintoff was feted during an open-top bus rally at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the 2005 Ashes victory. Just two years later alcohol played its part in the notorious ‘Pedalo’ incident as Flintoff was stripped of the vice-captaincy and plumbed his lowest depth. Now, smack in the middle of another Ashes series, Flintoff has decided that his dodgy knee can no longer withstand the rigors of Test cricket and he will retire at the end of the series.
While the natural flair was always there, for the first couple of years that talent rarely presented itself. Many contended that his fitness was would always hurt him at the Test level. His physique back then resembled a certain Bedrock character, earning him the moniker Freddie. A nickname that was once accompanied by a snort of derision when it passed the lips of harsh critics has now become a term of endearment.
Flintoff’s Star Rises
It was only in the series against New Zealand in 2002 that Flintoff, recalled after being given an ultimatum by the English management to shape up or ship out, finally demonstrated the maturity that had been added to the flair. A maiden test century and consistent bowling was followed by steady performances in subsequent series and the 2003 World Cup.
It was the Ashes series in 2005 – one of the greatest Test series ever – that turned Flintoff from an English hero to a global superstar. His return of 402 runs and 24 wickets in the five-Test rubber ranks alongside Ian Botham in 1981 and Shane Warne in 1993 as one of the definitive Ashes performances.
Freddie Hits a New Low
There was nowhere for Freddie to go but down after that stupendous high. Despite being handed the captaincy and leading his team to a rousing win over India in Mumbai, Flintoff was struck by injury once again – a recurring theme over the next four years. The lowest moment came at the 2007 World Cup, when, after a defeat to New Zealand, he drunkenly capsized off a pedalo in St Lucia.
One of the key statistics for an all-rounder to be considered great is that his bowling average should be lower than his batting average. On that count, Flintoff falls just short. Statistics alone, however, tell only part of the story. For Flintoff’s greatness to be measured, one must take into account that he raises his game against the best teams, can galvanize his team mates and has played a significant role in reviving an English team that had been dormant for the best part of a decade.
Even after his talismanic role in the 2005 Ashes, Freddie Flintoff’s relationship with those in authority was problematic. But the devotion of the English public remained complete and unquestioning.
Now Flintoff is back for a final hurrah. And, if his bowling at Lords in the second Ashes Test is anything to go by, he will be one of the few sportsmen to retire with his fans still wanting more.
Andrew Flintoff retires from Test cricket
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