Flintoff calls time on career

England's talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff on Thursday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

The 32-year-old all-rounder was plagued by injuries in his career and finally called time on his career after being advised by doctors.

"Having been told my body would no longer stand up to the rigours of cricket, I had no alternative," said Flintoff in a statement.

Flintoff played a key role in England's Ashes wins at home in 2005 and 2009 but was bogged down by knee injuries in the last few years.

He added: "I was told the problems I have been trying to overcome in rehab for the last year, following the latest of a series of operations, would not recover sufficiently to allow a comeback.

"I would like to thank my family, Lancashire Cricket Club, England, all my sponsors, friends and advisers for all the help and support they have given me throughout my career.

"Last, but by no means least, I am indebted to the encouragement and support I have always received from England's magnificent supporters. I will now be taking a break before deciding which future direction to take."

Flintoff retired from Test cricket at the end of the 2009 Ashes series. He wanted to continue playing One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 for England.

He was likely to have twenty20 stints in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Australian domestic event. In November 2009 Flintoff even signed a new three-year contract with Lancashire, but his comeback never really materialised..

In 79 Tests, Flintoff scored 3,845 runs at an average of 31.77, with five centuries - and captured 226 wickets at 32.78.

In 141 One-Day Internationals Flintoff scored 3394 runs at an average of 32 with a strike rate of 88.82 with three hundreds and picked up 169 wickets at an average of 24.38 and economy rate of 4.39.

He featured in just seven twenty20 internationals scoring 76 runs at a strike rate of 126.66 and picked up five wickets at an average of 6.4.