Andrew Flintoff has rejected England’s offer of an incremental contract in an attempt to expand his cricketing experience and become the best one-day player in the world.

The 31-year-old all-rounder was one of seven players offered a contract last week following his retirement from Test cricket, but has decided to turn down the offer following talks with his manager Andrew Chandler.  However Flintoff remains committed to playing one-day and Twenty20 cricket for England and Lancashire.

“One of the things I want to pursue more than anything is playing in different worldwide locations,” he explained. “I’ve been very lucky playing for England for the past 11 years and I’ve sampled different countries, but I’ve always wanted the opportunity to play more in these places, get to know them and the way they go about their cricket.

“I said when I retired from Test cricket that my ambition was to become the best one-day and Twenty20 player in the world and playing in all these different countries can only help.”

By turning down an England contract, Flintoff will decide himself when to rest and play rather than be directed by the ECB.   He believes the experience he has gained from lengthy spells on the sidelines during the last 11 years of international cricket - including four ankle and two knee operations - will help in that.

Speaking from Dubai, where he is basing himself for the next few months of rehabilitation from an arthroscopy and micro-fracture operation on his right knee, Flintoff intends to take advice from medical experts including trusted physiotherapist Dave Roberts, who has overseen all his rehabilitation for the past five years.

“I was flattered to receive the offer of an incremental contract from the ECB, which I wasn’t really expecting, but at this stage of my career I don’t think I need to be told when to play and when to rest,” said Flintoff, who will also help out the United Arab Emirates Cricket Team while he is in Dubai.  “I am 31, I have played international cricket for 11 years and know my body’s capabilities”.

“I am grateful to the ECB for the all the financial support they have given me to help in my rehabilitation. I have moved to Dubai because I believe it will help in that and their decision to pay for Dave Roberts’ continued expertise to aid my recovery has been invaluable.”

Providing Flintoff suffers no setbacks in that rehabilitation schedule, he will return to international cricket for England’s tour to Bangladesh in February, play for Chennai in the Indian Premier League and then compete in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in West Indies next May.

He then intends to return to England and play for Lancashire, adding: “I enjoy playing under Peter Moores and Glen Chapple, our captain, is one of my best mates and I am desperate to help them achieve success at Old Trafford.”