Andrew Flintoff's career in pictures

Andrew Flintoff was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1977 to a cricket-obsessed family. He signed for his home county as a teenager – his prowess with the bat having been evident from an early age, not least when he scored an unbeaten 234 in a 20-over game for St Anne’s Photograph: Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport

Flintoff made his Test debut for England against South Africa at Trent Bridge in 1998 Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

In July 2000, he hit a remarkable 135 not out for Lancashire against Surrey in the quarter-final of the NatWest Trophy at the Oval Photograph: Graham Chadwick/Getty Images

Mocked for his weight, Flintoff answered his critics in July 2000 by scoring 42 not out in a one-day game against Zimbabwe, after which he quipped that his performance was "not bad for a fat lad" Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty Images

He scored the first of his five Test centuries against New Zealand in 2002 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Flintoff was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2004 and proved his worth to England with an innings of 167 against West Indies during the second Test at Edgbaston Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Flintoff took seven wickets and scored 141 runs – including nine sixes – as England beat Australia in the second Ashes Test of 2005 by just two runs Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Flintoff showed his sportsmanship by consoling Brett Lee – whose unbeaten 43 had edged Australia to the brink of an astonishing win – in the immediate wake of England's dramatic victory Photograph: Tom Jenkins

He then scored a century in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge to help England to a 2-1 lead in the series, before taking five wickets on the penultimate day of the fifth and final Test at The Oval as England reclaimed the Ashes for the first time in 16 years Photograph: Hamish Blair/Getty Images

The celebrations, led by Flintoff, were raucous Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The following day during England's open top bus parade, Flintoff's face was a picture Photograph: Chris Young/PA

He was made captain of England in February 2006 but could not inspire his side to success in the 06-07 Ashes Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

England instead suffered a 5-0 series whitewash Photograph: Gareth Copley/PA

The 2007 Cricket World Cup in St Lucia was notable for Flintoff's drunken sea-borne exploits on a pedalo – an incident that led to him being stripped of the vice-captaincy Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA

In February 2009, Flintoff signed for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, but injury prevented him from making a significant contribution Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty Images

England won the 2009 Ashes 2-1 thanks in part to Flintoff's heroic five-wicket haul at Lord's in the second Test Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The series was clinched at The Oval. Flintoff took only one wicket and scored 29 runs but made a decisive contribution in the field by running out the Australia captain, Ricky Ponting, in the second innings with a direct hit from mid-on. He celebrated in now-familiar style Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Having retired from Test cricket, Flintoff had hoped to continue at county level with Lancashire this season. But today he announced his retirement from the game following advice from doctors due to his ongoing knee injuries Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images