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Andrew Flintoff has rejected the England and Wales Cricket Board's offer of an incremental contract.

A statement released by the player's representatives said he had turned down the deal to "expand his cricketing experience and become the best one-day player in the world".

It raises the possibility of the all-rounder becoming cricket's first freelance international, fitting any England commitments around other deals he receives from around the world.

Having retired from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes series, Flintoff was no longer considered for a full central contract, significantly reducing the financial value of the deal.

Upon his retirement Flintoff insisted that his main focus was on helping England achieve their ambitions in limited-overs cricket - and even discussed the possibility of appearing in two more World Cups.

That may now be in some doubt as a full stint in this year's Indian Premier League, where Flintoff has a lucrative contract with the Chennai Super Kings, would jeopardise his place on England's tour of Bangladesh.

Flintoff said: "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."

The official statement, which stressed that he remained committed to his country, read: "Andrew Flintoff has rejected the offer of an incremental contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board in an attempt to expand his cricketing experience and become the best one-day player in the world.

"The 31-year-old all-rounder remains committed to playing one-day and Twenty20 cricket for both England and Lancashire, but wants to expand his cricketing education by playing around the world."

PA Sport