England still first up for Andrew Flintoff

London:

Andrew Flintoff has hit back at claims that he has become a cricket mercenary by insisting he remains completely committed to playing for England.

Flintoff's decision to turn down the English Cricket Board's recent offer of an incremental contract worth 25,000 pounds has been interpreted as a sign that the Lancashire all-rounder is more concerned about making money with lucrative short-term deals than representing his country.

His contract snub opened up more time for him to earn big-money playing in the likes of the Indian Premier League and in other limited overs competitions because he retired from Test cricket after England's Ashes triumph as his knees can no longer take the strain of five-day cricket.

But, speaking at the launch of his new book on Monday, Flintoff said, "I'm available for every England game. Twenty20s and One-Day Internationals, just not Test matches.

"England come first, closely followed by Lancashire. I'd choose England over everything. If it clashed with the IPL (Indian Premier League) I'd play for England. England is what I've wanted to do since I was a kid.

"I don't know how long left I've got doing it, so I want to play every game I can do," Flintoff said.

An e-mail clarifying Flintoff's situation has been sent to ECB managing director Hugh Morris.

Flintoff, who is currently recovering from knee surgery, remains contracted to Lancashire for another 12 months and has a contract with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League next year.

He said, "One of the reasons is that I'm 31 and I know my body and when I can and can't play.

"I still have some personal ambition. If the opportunity arose to play in Australia I'd love to do that. I wanted to go when I was younger.

"I've seen a lot of cricketers come to the end of their careers. It creeps up on them and they have nothing to do. I want to forge another career as well.

"I've got three kids and a family so I want to provide for them. I want to work and didn't want any restraints over that. But I'm available for every England game and you can give me every scenario, but provided I'm fit and not on crutches I'm ready to go."

Flintoff, who has been recuperating in Dubai, admits he might also do some coaching in the United Arab Emirates.

"I've offered my services if I can help anywhere along the line. Not on an employment basis, just try to help," he said.

"I don't think I'd be a very good coach on a day-to-day basis."

Flintoff also revealed he had taken the field too often when he should not have done.

He said, "I've had anti-inflammatories inside me, jabs in my backside. I was on the field thinking 'What am I doing here? Am I going to get through this game?"

"The more I did it the more I felt I could get through it. The moment you stop is worse.

"Some of the mornings the missus had to get me out of bed and put my shoes and socks on to get me in the car to go to the ground. But the reason I do it is because I love it."