Bungee snag stopped Flintoff signing deal

Flintoff's manager Andrew Chandler spoke out to defend his client, insisting the 31-year-old all-rounder did not reject the England and Wales Cricket Board's offer of an incremental contract purely for financial reasons.

"There were one or two things in the deal that made it tough to sign. I've seen reports he's a mercenary - he's nothing of the sort," Chandler told BBC Sport. "There were one or two things in it that made it difficult to sign, like he wouldn't be allowed to participate in dangerous sports - and he's possibly doing a television series in which he may do bungee-jumping."

Flintoff indicated his desire to play on for England in 50 and 20-over cricket when announcing his decision to retire from the Test arena in July, but his decision not to tie himself to an ECB deal will allow him to consider lucrative opportunities in cricket across the globe.

Chandler added: "I don't know what was in the ECB's mind when they offered him the contract they did, because they probably must have known that the money wouldn't have made a lot of difference compared to the sums of money he was earning as a Test cricketer.

"But he is going to end up with the odd sponsorship deal that would be possibly conflicting with an England sponsorship deal and he just wants to have the freedom of mind that he can do what he wants to when he wants to."

Australian Stuart Law, who played with Flintoff at Lancashire, backed his former team-mate in the strongest possible terms.

Law believes Flintoff's efforts in an England shirt earned him the right to turn down a second-tier deal, which he described as a "slap in the face".

"I'm sick and tired of hearing people saying he is just money-grabbing," said Law. "He's gone to hell and back for England. He's pretty much bowled himself into the dirt for them for a decade.

"I can understand his decision. He's more than done his time for England; he's played his heart out."