LONDON, England – England’s Andrew Flintoff is aiming to return to action with Australian state side Queensland in January in a bid to revive his stalled cricket career.
The all-rounder, who quit Test cricket after England’s Ashes triumph last year because his injury-plagued body could no longer stand the strain, has not played for English county Lancashire this season following his latest bout of knee surgery.
Having written off this English campaign, the 32-year-old fast bowler and hard-hitting batsman hopes to make a comeback playing for Queensland in Australia’s domestic Twenty20 tournament, which coincides with England’s defence of the Ashes ‘Down Under’.
“I’m a bit frustrated,” Flintoff told Sky Sports yesterday. “I was meant to play for Lancashire over the past few weeks but seeing the physio and seeing where I’m at, I can’t run properly so it was decided that I probably shouldn’t start quite yet.
“It’s just postponed a little bit so I’m back in the gym with the physio trying to get fit.
“There’s the option of playing in Queensland in January for them in the Twenty20, which I’d like to do. But more important is Lancashire next year.
“I’m not quite sure what is realistic at this moment in time. I’m still getting a few twinges in the knee and can’t move as well as I’d like to.”
At the time of his Test retirement, Flintoff made it clear he still felt he had a role to play for England in limited overs international cricket.
But, in his absence, England won the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean this year and his chances of helping his country to a first World Cup trophy in Asia next year appear to be fading fast.
“I think ability-wise I could get in there,” Flintoff said of playing for England again.
“But I’ll be 33 in December and it will be (a question of) have the side moved on? They can’t wait around for me forever.”