Flintoff raring to go at The Oval

England's lynchpin all-rounder admitted on Tuesday the outcome of the next five days could cap or "ruin" his 11 years as an international cricketer.

Even so, the good times have outweighed the bad, and he said: "It's been everything I could have dreamed it could have been. With the injuries and going through the rehab, at times it has been tough. But the thought of putting on an England shirt and cap again is the one thing that gets you through."

This npower series concludes come next Monday night - when 31-year-old Flintoff will retire from the longest form of the game because of a chronic knee problem - he insists he will look back with pride at a Test career that delivered everything he ever wanted from cricket.

He added: "Having had the opportunity to wear the Three Lions around the world, walking out at venues like Lord's or here on Thursday, I don't think you can put into words how much I enjoy it and how privileged I have been to do it."

Flintoff would have one Test more on his CV had England captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower not decided his knee was too much of a hindrance at Headingley two weeks ago.

There followed an embarrassing innings-and-80-run defeat that allowed Australia to level the series going into the final match.

Flintoff had made himself available in Leeds but both he and Strauss have since insisted there is no ill feeling on the topic. Both feel, too, the break between Tests has allowed England to compose themselves, and Flintoff reports great enthusiasm and optimism in the camp.

"It's very good, quite excitable in the dressing room - people want to get going and play," he said. "This Test match is a one-off. Whatever has happened before, it will be how the two teams react to the pressure occasion.

"Australia played well in the last match but we've had time to regroup and put that to bed."