Freddie sees no fitness worries in IPL participation

London:

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has dismissed suggestions that playing in the Indian Premier League will put his fitness at risk, ahead of the Ashes.

"I don't know about that. I have missed so much cricket through injury that I don't want to miss any more. I've not played a lot of Twenty20 cricket and I'd like to play more. I'm not saying the money is not very appealing, but there's a lot more to it," the 31-year-old told 'Radio Five Live's Sportsweek'.

Flintoff, who was bought for a record USD 1.55 million by Chennai Super Kings, said he has worked hard on his fitness during the tour of West Indies.

"I spent several weeks working very hard at my fitness when I came back from the West Indies and, hopefully, that will stand me in good stead come the summer," he said.

Flintoff admitted that English cricket has gone through a tough phase.

"It's been a tough winter all round. There have been lots of things going on. These are long tours. We are proud to play for England but people have got things at home as well and families who you desperately miss when you're away," he said.

"When you come to the end of a trip, of course people are looking forward to getting home and seeing people you haven't seen for a long time," he added.