Flintoff dismisses fitness fears

Updated 11.04 Wed Sep 12 2007

Keywords: Andrew Flintoff, England, World Cup, sport, cricket

Andrew Flintoff has moved to dismiss doubts about his future as an international all-rounder.

The 29-year-old England star has been plagued by his troublesome left ankle for some time and has been forced to miss matches since making his comeback from a third operation.

"I want to be fit as well so I can do my bowling - I'm not here to prove anybody wrong or anything like that, I'm here to perform for the team" - Andrew Flintoff

The Lancastrian's problems have fuelled talk about whether he can return to the form he showed against Australia in 2005 which made him the world's top all-rounder.

But Flintoff told reporters ahead of England's ICC World Twenty20 opener against Zimbabwe in Cape Town: "I'm not bothered what is said to be honest. I'm comfortable with what I'm doing and time will tell what happens either way.

"As an all-rounder I would like to score a few more runs. With playing one game then missing a game it does make it hard to get into a rhythm with your batting.

"I'm working hard in the nets and I'd like to get my batting back up to standard. But I want to be fit as well so I can do my bowling - I'm not here to prove anybody wrong or anything like that, I'm here to perform for the team."

While Flintoff is certain he can make a full recovery and recapture his best form, bowling coach Allan Donald has questioned whether his body can now sustain the battering required to compete in Test cricket.

Donald said: "My heart tells me I don't think he can (compete) in the longer version of the game...England cricket and his supporters have to be patient."

Flintoff now faces regular rehabilitation and exercise if he wishes to continue playing at the highest level.

But the England talisman's motivation to continue his career is such that he believes it is a small sacrifice to make.

He added: "If I want to play cricket, I've got to do it. If I want to get onto the cricket field, that's what I've got to do.

"I enjoy playing, it's a big part of my life and has been for a long time so doing a few exercises and doing a bit of strengthening work on it is hardly a real hardship."