Freddie will miss the 4th test versus West Indies in Barbados, starting on 26th February due to a grade two muscle tear on his right hip. This will also mean that he misses the 60th Test after winning the first of his 74 England caps in July 1998, all courtesy his shocking history of injuries. And if his family wasn't already in there, the England all rounder would have been on a flight back home
 
What perhaps is now weighing down on Freddie's thoughts is Ricky Ponting's decision to pull out of the Knight Riders commitment this season. The Australian skipper showed that his actions are louder than words and he can indeed resist the temptation of IPL cash to stay fit for the big Ashes summer.
 
Andrew Flintoff was the key to England's Ashes campaign in 2005. Since then injuries have rendered him a shade of what he once was! There have been four ankle operations, hence four comebacks. Perhaps no other modern day England player has endured as much. His cricketing deeds of Heroic proportions are also reasons for an astronomical IPL pricing. Also if one was to look for characters there weren't any better in the English team than Freddie and KP.
 
No wonder then, as the franchises debated, discussed and bid over their prices, they also judged who would be the best return on investment. Chennai had factored that T20 will be an ideal fix for Freddie as it will not be as demanding on an already battered body. But now the England team management is sweating over the idea of releasing him for a four over fix. If Freddie fails to make it back in the team for the one dayers in West Indies, he may well have to forget his IPL dreams for the season.
 
And it just isn't his future that will be determined by this decision but also Andy Flower's. If Flower happens to manage Freddie's case judiciously, he may well have a long stay with the Lions as their Chief Coach.
 
And as for now everyone is calling Freddie to put aside Indian riches in favour of the Ashes glory this summer. Only time will tell whether Freddie finally resists it or not!

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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