Cricket: The Test career of England's Andrew Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff celebrates his first Test wicket, that of South Africa's Jacques Kallis for 47 runs, during his debut, the fourth Test at Trent Bridge in 1998 Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA

In 2000 he suffered a stress fracture of his left foot in the fourth Test against South Africa in Cape Town Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA

Flintoff celebrates taking the wicket of India's SS Das, during the second day of the third Test against India at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, in 2001 Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA

Flintoff in action during the second Test against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in 2002 Photograph: Michael Regan/Action Images

In 2003 a storming performance in the home series against South Africa brought Flintoff's talent to greater prominence. Here he smashes another four during the second Test at Lord's ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins

... and celebrates taking the wicket of Neil Mckenzie, leg before wicket, in the fifth Test at The Oval Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Alec Stewart, whose last Test this was, is chaired round The Oval by Steve Harmison and Flintoff after England's victory over South Africa in the fifth Test Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Omari Banks does the splits as Flintoff smashes the ball past him during the first Test against West Indies at Lord's in 2004 Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell celebrate with Flintoff, after Freddie took the wicket of Australia captain Ricky Ponting during the third day of the second Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 2005 Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP

Flintoff consoling Brett Lee after England's two-run victory at Edgbaston in the second Test is one of the most memorable images of a remarkable series Photograph: Tom Jenkins

During the 2005 series Flintoff was having trouble with his knees. Here he looks up in pain after hurting a knee during day four of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty Images

Flintoff celebrates taking the wicket of Shane Warne during day four of the fifth Test at The Oval Photograph: Hamish Blair/Getty Images

Ricky Ponting looks on as Flintoff hits Shane Warne for four in the final Test at The Oval Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Flintoff sprays Champagne at the presenatation after England clinch a draw at The Oval to win the Ashes 2-1 Photograph: Tom Jenkins

After a booze bender which is almost as famous as the victory that preceded it, the England team took part in an open top bus parade around the streets of London. Flintoff with his daughter Holly and captain Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen pose for a photograph aboard the parade bus Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty Images

Flintoff hits a shot in the second Test against India in Mohali, India, in 2006 Photograph: Arko Datta/Reuters

After the euphoria in 2005, it was a different story in Australia in 2006-07 as England, captained by Flintoff, lost the series 5-0 Photograph: Gareth Copley/PA

Flintoff bowls during the first day of the third Ashes Test at the WACA in Perth Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Flintoff bats during the third day of the second Test against India in Mohali in 2008 Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire/PA Photos

Despite all his injuries, Flintoff still retains his skill. Here he celebrates the wicket of Australia opener Phillip Hughes during day two of the first Test of the 2009 Ashes, at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty Images

Flintoff continued to impose himself on the series, taking five second-innings wickets as England won by 115 runs in the second Test at Lord's Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Australia's attempts to sledge Flintoff during the third Test backfired, as he scored 74 runs during his only spell at the crease Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters

After missing the fourth Test through injury, Flintoff returned for the decider at The Oval. Despite a relatively quiet Test by his standards, he weighed in with the brilliant run out of Ricky Ponting as England regained the Ashes Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Flintoff gets his hands on the famous urn once again ... Photograph: Gareth Copley/Press Association

... and leads the celebrations in the dressing room. Flintoff will now leave the Test arena behind to focus on the one-day game, but first faces around six months out to cure his injured knee Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty