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| Andrew Flintoff celebrating his second Ashes triumph at the Oval in 2009. |
The sight of Andrew Flintoff using his crocked body to swoop on the ball and in one swift movement run out the Australian captain Ricky Ponton at the Oval in 2009 will live long in the memory.
Arms outstretched in celebration, shaded by his sun hat and casually chewing gum the all-rounder knew he had played another key part in an England Ashes winning side, what we did not know then was it would be the last part Flintoff would ever play in an England side.
What a final memory of Freddie.
Flintoff, 32, bowed out of all forms of cricket this week after consultation with his medical advisors. He was told he would need yet another operation on his problematic knees.
This news probably came as no real suprise to many as Flintoff retired from the longer form of the game after last summers Ashes series. He played most of last summer with an injury and has been out of action since.
Freddie, as he was affectionately known by friends, players and fans, had planned to return to cricket as a one-day specialist. He wanted to become one of the first freelance cricketers from his base in Dubai and earn huge sums of money from Twenty20 cricket.
The proud Lancastrian even believed he would represent his country again but like evry good team England have moved on from their inspirational all-rounder.
Since the last time Flintoff pulled on an England shirt, the side have become World Champions in the shortest form of the game and moved to number two in the ODI rankings.
This could have been another reason why Flintoff chose to call time on his colourful career. He lived to play for England and the all the rehabilitation his body has gone through over the years was because of his desire to play for England but the harsh reality is England do not need Flintoff as much as Flintoff needs England.
Take nothing a away from Flintoff though, he was a superstar of the game.
In his pomp he was one of the most feared players in the game. His destructive hitting and prowess with the ball in hand destroyed opposition all over the world and although his statistics do not tell the full story his reputation as a player went before him.
The former England captain was not a great of the game. He was a fine all-round cricketer but not a great.
His record of 3845 runs at an average of 31.77 and 226 wickets at an average of 226 wickets from 79 Test matches makes decent reading but when comparing them to the stats other all-rounders Flintoff falls short.
Ian Botham (5,200 and 383), Kapil Dev (5,248 and 434), Imran Khan (3,807 and 362) and Gary Sobers (8,032 and 235) could all boast superior figures to Freddie.
It could be argued he was not even the best all-rounder of his generations as Jaques Kallis' brilliant record of 11,126 runs at 55 and 266 wickets 31 make more impressive reading. But what Freddie lacked in stats he made up for in entertainment.
To coin a phrase made famous in recent years, Flintoff had the X-factor.
When the announcer at Test venues around the world introduced Flintoff into the game the bars would empty and people would return to their seats.
His blistering hitting ability and his thundering yorkers were what the crowd wanted to see.
They came in their numbers to see Fred, with his chest puffed out, taking on all comers whatever the occassion and that is exactly what they got.
He put his body on the line and gave 100 per cent every time he crossed the white line. The public recognised effort and they love Fred because he gave his captain everything.
The right handed batsmen, who scored five test centuries, was also adored by cricketing fans everywhere for his character as much as his cricketing ability.
Everyone could relate to him. He enjoyed a beer and a laugh while he took his sport deadly seriously. Freddie was the last of a generation of cricketers who played hard on and of the field but he was also the first celebrity cricketer.
The epic summer of 2005 sums this up perfectly.
We saw all sides of Flintoff from taking on the Aussies almost single handedly to regain the Ashes to celbrating the win in style with an all night bender.
One of his greates achievements was not falling off the open top bus which paraded through the streets of London.
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| A bleary-eyed Freddie celebrates the Ashes win in 2005. |
The summer of 2005 showed us the best of Andrew Flintoff. He was everywhere, on posters, in newspapers, on television and most importantly on the field.
The fast bowler tormented the Aussies with bat and ball scoring 402 runs and taking 24 wickets.
The other lasting memory of that glorious summer was the picture of Flintoff consoling and congratulating Brett Lee for his efforts with the bat in the Edgbaston test which England won by 2 runs. Lee played a huge part in an unbelievable game and Freddie recognised it.
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| Freddie consols Brett Lee after the famous Egdbaston Test. |
The act was instinctive, genuine and it showed the goodness which flowed through Flintoff's body.
But Freddie's career was not all goodness and light.
Misdemeaners with alcohol shaded his career and the pedalo incident which cost him the vice captaincy along with turning up for training in Australia still under the influence spring to mind.
But this adds to the legend of the man.
A man who knows how to have a good time but also knows when to stop and when he hs been wrong. His apologies after both incidents only added to people's affection for him.
Freddie was a talisman, an inspiration on the pitch and the ultimate impact cricketer. He is a good husband, father and a role model to all young cricketers who want to play the game.
To my generation of cricket fans he is a hero comparible to the likes of Botham. His antics on and off the field will live in the memories of all cricket fans but to those of a certain age he was our first hero. Our memories will take us back to the Oval in 2005 and 2009 time and time again to see him sitting with the little urn, a beer and a cigar.
Whatever comes in the next chapter of the Freddie Flintoff show, he will have success but Fred enjoy your retirement. Being away from cricket will be difficult for a man who loved being out on the field but he will be relieved to wake up in the morning and not have to worry about rehabilitation or whether he will take to the field again.
Whatever happens Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff has been brilliant for the game of cricket and he will be sorely missed all over the world for his on and off field antics.
Thanks for the memories Freddie.
Images courtesy of guardian.co.uk, skynews.com and the dailymail.co.uk.
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