Andrew Flintoff says he could not have asked for a better end to his Test career after England's Ashes win.
All-rounder bows out of Test cricket vowing to make one-day impact
Andrew Flintoff bowed out of Test cricket at the Oval, but the morning after regaining the Ashes he insisted he wanted to become a major one-day force for England after he recovers from injury.
Flintoff's knee surgery has been brought forward to Monday night, but he insists he is up for yet another long road of rehabilitation in a bid to continue having a major impact for England, albeit only in the one-dayers.
In stark contrast to the famous celebrations after the 2005 victory, Flintoff says he was a lot more reserved this time around, with a more low-key celebration after Monday's Oval success.
"It was enjoyable, a bit low key by my standards," Flintoff said in a news conference screened on
Sky Sports News.
"It was slightly different, 2005 was fantastic, it almost snuck up on us so we lived for the moment and celebrated hard. But this time it was something which I savoured.
Family affair
"It was quite nice - all the families came over. I sat with my wife and my kids, my dad who has done so much for me throughout my career.
"I was able to have a beer with my dad. It was very different but in a lot of ways far more enjoyable."
Although Flintoff has endured a torrid few years with injuries, savouring the atmosphere in his farewell Test series has given him the hunger to go through more rehab to get back playing for England in one-day cricket.
"I've enjoyed my Test career, I've enjoyed the last Test series I've played in but the harsh realities are I need my knee sorting out, it's a long road back to fitness, a lot more work with 'Rooster' (his physio), but I've done it before.
"Having seen what happened yesterday and the scenes playing for England it's made me more determined to get my operation done and get back fit and play in front of full houses and try and make a difference to the one day side.
"One thing that is the incentive is wearing the Three Lions. I desperately want to wear it again and again and again, albeit not in Test cricket but in the one-day format."
Timescale
Some reports suggest Flintoff could be out for up to a year, but he is hoping to be back in the England one-day side for the tour to Bangladesh next February.
"Realistically I think before Christmas I'm going to struggle," Flintoff added.
"Obviously, I've retired from Test cricket but the tour to Bangladesh is what I desperately want to be involved in, so realistically that'll be my first cricket after yesterday."
As for a successor as England's all-rounder, Flintoff has full confidence in Stuart Broad after his emergence in the latter part of the Ashes series.
"It took me a while to get my head around Test cricket both mentally and physically but Broady, he's got a lot of potential, a lot of talent, but then the impressive thing is he's showing it.
"Stuart came on in the first innings and effectively won the game for England, to be able to do that at such a young age is something special. He's by no means the finished article, however, to be able to do that at such a young age bodes well for the future.
"Everyone's talking about whether he can bat at number seven - he can bat number three, this lad's talented, and I think we'll see over the next ten years or so a very special Test career."
Flintoff's Test career though, has ended, but he could not think of a better way to go out than on the back of a second Ashes success.
"It's one of those things that you don't want to end, but like all good things it has to come to an end at some point, and now's my time," he concluded.
"I'll look back with a lot of fond memories. I couldn't ask for a better way to finish, being surrounding by friends, family and a special team and having played a part in an Ashes victory, it doesn't get much better."
