Law backs Flintoff stance

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.

Flintoff released a statement announcing he would not sign the second-tier deal he was recently offered by the board in the wake of his retirement from Test cricket.

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

His decision has in effect made Flintoff a 'freelance cricketer' with his management already admitting he has fielded offers to play in South Africa, Australia and the West Indies.

Although the 31-year-old stressed that he remained available for England in limited-overs cricket, there have been criticisms that the all-rounder is choosing money over his country.

Law added: "You look at what he did in the Ashes as well. He played through the pain, he had to have an operation after the series he was struggling that much. And without him England wouldn't have won the Ashes.

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

"He would have died for England so anyone who thinks he's selfish and grabbing the money needs to have a good hard look at themselves.

"You can't blame him if he wants to go to the IPL and earn US Dollars 1million for six weeks of cricket. I don't think any player in the world would walk away from that."