Flintoff calls time on Lancs career
ANDREW Flintoff admits it would have been ‘self-indulgent’ for him to carry on playing for Lancashire this season.
The former England all-rounder stunned the game by coming out of retirement last season and playing for the county in the NatWest T20 Blast.
After two group games, the fairytale return almost came true when he took Lancashire to the verge of victory in the final at Edgbaston, only to fall to defeat by Birmingham off the final ball.
But he did enough to earn himself a contract with Brisbane Heat in Australia’s Big Bash.
However, despite being a hit with the fans, he struggled on the field. And, with his TV work again taking off and a stage tour planned, he and head coach Ashley Giles agreed his Lancashire career was now over.
“I got the chance to go to Australia which I loved. I wish it had happened 10 years ago,” said Flintoff. “I couldn’t do the things on the field I wanted to do.
“Batting was fine, but bowling just hurt me so much.
“I lost a bit of pace and I am not the most skilful of bowlers like Jimmy Anderson who swings it around all over the place.
“It was a case of saying ‘you know what, I had the chance to play in Australia, I played for Lancashire last year, I never thought it would happen, I’m happy’.
“Lancashire have so many good young players coming through, I am not sure they wanted me anyway!”