Flintoff determined to play thru' pain barrier


FE Team | Published: July 23, 2009 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00


LONDON, Jul 22 (AFP): Andrew Flintoff insists only a "very, very serious" injury would stop him firing England's bid to regain the Ashes from Australia.
Flintoff was named man of the match after a second-innings five- wicket haul in England's dramatic second Test victory over Australia at Lord's.
The 31-year-old's performance came despite the pain of a persistent knee problem, which has put his fitness for the third Test at Edgbaston in doubt.
But Flintoff, who last week announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of the series, is determined to go flat out for the remaining three Tests.
Flintoff told BBC Radio Five Live: "The good thing was I bowled a lot of overs and kept my pace up.''
"I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little bit sore but I was confident when making the announcement that I was retiring from Test cricket that I had four to go, and now it's three.''
"It'd have to be something very, very serious not to play in the next three Test matches."
Although his Lord's performance showcased Flintoff's ability, he added that he would not be tempted to go back on his retirement decision.
"There are no thoughts of changing my mind," he said. "The things I am going through to get on the cricket field I can do short term but I won't be able to do it much longer."

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