There is no doubt that Andrew Flintoff was one of England's greatest Test players. But what were the highlights of his career and how will he be remembered?
The history
First of all, the history. Andrew Flintoff was born on the 6th December, 1977. Throughout his career, he not only captained his country but played seventy-nine Tests and 141 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), as stated on the Cricket Country website. In short, Flintoff was "an integral part of the English team ever since he broke onto the scene" and throughout his career remained one of the "top ranked all-rounders of world cricket".
His highlights
With regards to the first question, 'Freddie' Flintoff had many. There was the 142 runs scored against South Africa at Lord's in 2003 and his bowling spell against South Africa batsman Jacques Kallis in 2008. However, his greatest hour came in the summer of 2005, in the Ashes Test series against Australia. Flintoff played a critical role in helping England to regain the Ashes after 18 "long years". Such was his influence that Flintoff earned the Man-of-the-Series Award for his 402 runs and 24 wickets. In understanding how impressive that achievement was, it was the "only occasion" in the history of Ashes Test cricket that an Englishman scored over 400 runs and taken more than 20 wickets.
Within that wonderful series, there were a couple of major highlights. As stated on the Flintoff's cricket academy website, there was that over, where Flintoff took both the wickets of Langer and Ponting in the Test at Edgbaston. But another highlight was when Flintoff consoled Brett Lee at the end of that Edgbaston Test. It was a sign of real class from the Englishman.
After 2005 there were other notable highlights, such as the Ashes series again in 2009. In addition to that wonderful piece of field play when running out Australian captain Ricky Ponting at the Oval Test, there was also the five wickets that he took in the second innings at Lords.
How will he be remembered?
Although technically an all-rounder, it was his performances as a bowler that left the greatest impression over the years.
This was echoed by former Australian player Adam Gilchrist, who stated, as reported on the King Cricket website, that Flintoff created "an aura of control" and "a look in his eye" that suggests all that he does "is all part of a big plan". In addition it was his desire, consistency and precision that served Flintoff so well. Although an all-rounder, he will be remembered for his exceptional bowling in the games that really mattered, especially in the Ashes series. He will go down as one of England's all-time greats, on the level of Sir Ian Botham I think.