Though the English and Welsh Cricket Board (ECB) is thinking about not allowing Andrew Flintoff, England all-rounder, to play in the IPL as he has again been hit by injuries, and it may harm the chances of England in the Ashes series against England, Flintoff has clarified that he would be ready to battle it out in the Indian Premier League 's second chapter which is going to take place from April. As David Collier, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board opined that the board could yet declare Flintoff off limits if there is any concern about his fitness. Andrew Flintoff is however confidant that he would be able to play for his team Chennai Super Kings despite hip injury threatening his Test series in West Indies.

Flintoff would be earning somewhere close to £500,000 for three weeks' play in the IPL, which starts on April 10. Flintoff has expressed this hope as the IPL is still far off, and he has ample chances to overhaul his body and make it match fit.  Flintoff expressed the opinion that he would like to Test cricket and also the one-day internationals as well.

Flintoff has already been ruled out of Thursday's fourth Test in Barbados, and he admitted that he is a doubtful starter for the fifth Test as well. Flintoff holds the view that the experience gained from Indian Premier League would be of immense benefit to the England players who have been selected to play in it. Other players from England who are playing in the IPL are: Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara.

Flintoff holds the view that the experience gained from playing 20-20 in IPL would immensely help in preparing for T20 World Cup. He sights the case of India as an example worth emulating. He has however conceded that the money component in IPL is also huge, but the exposure of Indian Premier League would be of immense help, is the view that he holds.

Flintoff has got an unexpected support from Geoffrey Boycott who believes that the Indian Premier League could be exactly what Flintoff needs to get himself ready for the Ashes summer.

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

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