July 15th, 2009 by Peter Bevan

Andrew Flintoff hopes to be fit for the Ashes 2009 second test, but will quit Test cricket at the end of the series

As England prepare for the second test of the Ashes 2009 series, it has been confirmed that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will retire from test cricket when this year’s Ashes series is over.

At the moment, Freddie Flintoff is struggling to be fit for the second test, which begins on July 16 at London Lord’s Cricket Ground, as he had to be injected to help heal the pain in his right knee, a recurring injury sustained in the first at the Cardiff Sophia Gardens, SWALEC Stadium.

A press conference had been scheduled for the announcement today, with persistent injuries being the main reason for the decision to retire from test cricket and will now focus on the less demanding one-day internationals and Twenty20s.

Because of Andrew Flintoff’s injury, Stephen Harmison has been added to the squad after impressing with his strong displays playing county cricket for Durham. Even if he does not get to play, Steve Harmison insists he will keep on trying.

Meanwhile, batsman Paul Collingwood has taken a lot of heart from the resulting draw from the first test, where Australia dominated play, but believes England’s display and the drama it caused was a good representation of Test cricket.

As Australia threw everything they had, England battled on and was left unscathed. James Anderson and Monty Panesar survived the last 69 deliveries to achieve the draw.

Both Paul Collingwood and national selector Geoff Miller admits that England must play a lot better in the next test, where England will hope to beat Australia for the first time at London Lord’s Cricket Ground since 1934.

Another England batsman, Kevin Pietersen, is remaining focused on the task at hand despite being subjected to criticism for his poor batting in the first test.

He believes the criticism was unjustified, but comes with the territory of being under the spotlight as England’s ex-captain.

England coach Andy Flower has backed Kevin Pietersen, saying he does not need to have a word with him and that Kevin Pietersen himself can review the decisions he makes.

Cricket fans can catch the players in action throughout the Ashes 2009 series, with the second test match taking place at London Lord’s Cricket Ground from July 16-20.

The third test will be at the Birmingham Edgbaston Cricket Ground (July 30 – August 3), the fourth test at Leeds Headingley Stadium (August 7-11) and the final test at the London Oval Cricket Ground (August 20-24).

The Ashes 2009 tickets are available to compare at tixdaq.com