By Jim Morton

Andrew Flintoff has opened the door for a possible Ashes return next summer after revealing his desire to play first-class cricket and also represent England again.

Plagued by injuries, Flintoff announced his Test retirement during last year's home Ashes victory but a successful knee operation now has him keen to play all forms of cricket for Lancashire.
The 32-year-old allrounder's excitement levels for the game have also been boosted by England's gripping four-Test battle in South Africa.

"During my time in rehabilitation I have been watching England playing well in South Africa and it has made me realise how much I have missed cricket," he said.

"If I am going to go through another six months of hard rehabilitation and training for long hours, I need a big incentive to be the driving force of that and playing for Lancashire and England again will become that."

Flintoff has not played since undergoing a micro-fracture operation on his right knee in September but a routine arthroscope this week showed he was primed to resume in the upcoming English county season.
He originally indicated he would concentrate on limited-overs cricket when he announced his Test retirement.

"My goals have changed since last summer," Flintoff said in a statement. "I trust the surgeon, Andy Williams, implicitly and he is very pleased with the progress of the operation.

"When I first had the operation I did not think I would be able to play anything other than one-day cricket, but the news of my recovery has led me to believe I may play in all forms of cricket for Lancashire." Flintoff was the hero of England's 2005 Ashes triumph and also took 5-92 in a man-of-the-match display for a second Test victory at Lord's last year to set up a 2-1 series win.

But in between he suffered the ignominy of captaining England to a disastrous 0-5 Ashes whitewash in Australia in 2006-07 which cut him deeply.

With England unable to enjoy the same balance in their Test line-up without Flintoff, it's certain there will be calls for the 79-Test stalwart to gain redemption on Australian soil, if he strikes form for Lancashire.

Flintoff, who has undergone four ankle operations, has shown himself more than capable of returning from injury in the past. His continuing rehab has forced him out of his lucrative contract for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL in March.

"It is disappointing not to be able to play for Chennai, who have been very supportive throughout my time with them, but I took this decision because I love playing cricket and want to give myself the best chance of extending my career," he said.