Time to say goodbye...

Today marked a sad, but no-less significant moment in recent history of English cricket. The King has finally ended his reign. Freddie will never again step foot on the hallowed cricketing turf (unless someone organises a charity game of course, in which case I'm sure some form of alcoholic medication can be administered!) At 32 most cricketers would be starting to wind down their career, Mark Ramprakash and Marcus Trescothick aside, but due to injury Andrew Flintoff decided to call it a day and focus on his media career.
Born in Preston in 1977, Flintoff has always commanded a place at the top of cricket’s rankings, both in test and the limited overs game. A right-hand, devastating lower order batsman and talismanic bowler, he has shown passion and determination hardly ever seen in the sporting arena, taking the role of the figurehead for both England’s successful Ashes victories in 2005 and 2009.
Since his debut in 1997 he has cemented himself a permanent place in the England setup, going on to captain and vice-captain the side, finishing with test averages in the early 30s with both bat and ball. Although these may not seem world beating, it's the timing and nature of his performances that have made him indispensible to his country.
After a shaky start to his career, as the butt of many jibes from the press box about his size and fitness, Flintoff made an effort to change his ways and during the 2003 season made great leaps with both bat and ball against the West Indies, New Zealand and India. His performances were rewarded with the Professional Cricketer's Association Player of the Year Award, and the inaugural ICC One-Day Player of the year award.
The start to 2005 was somewhat stressful for Flintoff. Surgery following the test series in South Africa gave way to doubts that he would be fit for the Ashes, but thanks to a fitness programme he returned ahead of schedule and made an appearance for Lancashire in April.
Flintoff had always endured comparisons with the great Ian Botham, but had not really warranted them. In the 2005 Ashes he began to show why. In the second test at Edgbaston he broke Botham's record of 6 wickets in an Ashes test, taking 10 for 141. He scored invaluable runs throughout the series, but it was his bowling that earned him accolades from all sides.
He bowled with unprecedented hostility and accuracy, making the world's best batsmen look clueless at times. Never before or since has the word "bunny" been used to describe Adam Gilchrist, but no bowler has singlehandedly overpowered and out thought a single player. Gilchrist later described it as the moment that changed is career forever, and began a downward spiral which lead him to question his very desire to play the game.
A lot has happened since then. Gilchrist carried on playing test cricket and proved he still had "it", proving so quite emphatically when England travelled to Australia to defend the little urn in 2006/07 under the leadership of their talisman. The resulting five nil drubbing was nothing short of awful, casting a somewhat sombre shadow over the exuberant, alcohol fuelled celebrations of 2005.
The rest of the year didn't take make of an upturn. Demoted to vice captain, Flintoff failed with both bat and ball in the loss to New Zealand in the opening game. To drown their sorrows Flintoff and some of the other players and management went to a local bar. Several hours and drinks later Flintoff found himself in the middle of the sea, perched precariously on a pedalo. After being rescued Flintoff had the vice captaincy removed and received a lambasting from the British media in such stark contrast to the almost hero worship he had been treated to only two years earlier.
The following years were less than kind to Preston's favourite son, injuries to ankle, knee, side and hip, before a torn meniscus in his right knee finally spells the end. Complications arose after the surgery, the reported final nail in the coffin being a bout of deep-vein thrombosis sustained after surgery to the troublesome knee.
Ending his statement by saying that he would be taking a break to decide "which future direction to take," Flintoff was magnanimous to the end, "thanking Lancashire Cricket Club, England, all my sponsors, friends and advisers" for the help they had given him throughout his career, and lastly he said he was "indebted to the encouragement and support I have always received from England's magnificent supporters."
England has lost one of its greats. Not so much his talent, that can be replaced, but his passion, sense of theatre and ability to provide that spark can not, and never will, be replaced. England has lost its golden arm, but let's be honest, Flintoff and Warne in the commentary box is something I personally can't wait to hear!