Flintoff rejects ECB offer

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A statement released by the player's representatives said he had turned down the deal to "expand his cricketing experience and become the best one-day player in the world".

It raises the possibility of the all-rounder becoming cricket's first freelance international, fitting any England commitments around other deals he receives from around the world.

Having retired from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes series, Flintoff was no longer considered for a full central contract, significantly reducing the financial value of the deal.

Upon his retirement Flintoff insisted that his main focus was on helping England achieve their ambitions in limited-overs cricket - and even discussed the possibility of appearing in two more World Cups.

That may now be in some doubt as a full stint in this year's Indian Premier League, where Flintoff has a lucrative contract with the Chennai Super Kings, would jeopardise his place on England's tour of Bangladesh.

Flintoff said: "I said when I retired from Test cricket that my ambition was to become the best one-day and Twenty20 player in the world and playing in all these different countries can only help."

The official statement, which stressed that he remained committed to his country, read: "Andrew Flintoff has rejected the offer of an incremental contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board in an attempt to expand his cricketing experience and become the best one-day player in the world.

"The 31-year-old all-rounder remains committed to playing one-day and Twenty20 cricket for both England and Lancashire, but wants to expand his cricketing education by playing around the world."