Born on 6 December, 1977, Andrew Flintoff was looked up as this generation's Ian Botham by many of Great Britain. They do have things in common, Botham single handedly won the 1981 Ashes for England and Flintoff did the same 24 years later. Both were enigmas in the field and controversial off-field.

Flintoff averaged 31 with the bat and 32 with the ball, nothing impressive for someone who enjoyed demi god status in England. But it was his ability to inspire England against all odds that stood him in good stead. Debuting against South Africa in 1998, Flintoff had a difficult start to his career which also included a pair at Leeds. In fact, Flintoff scored his first run at Leeds in only his fifth innings five years after his debut. He was dropped after his debut series and had to wait for the return tour to South Africa in late 1999 to make a return to the squad.

Flintoff did show his potential with a superb 135 for Lancashire against Surrey in the Natwest Trophy Quarter finals, an innings described by David Gower as "the most awesome innings we are ever going to see on a cricket field". The management though made it clear that they were unhappy with his fitness and weight. Freddie, as he was popularly called though made a comeback in the tour of South Africa. He struggled with both the bat and ball though scoring only 259 runs in 19 Test innings and picking up only 13 wickets. He endured a horror tour of India in 2001 with the bat managing only 8 runs in the Test series and was reduced to tears in the dressing room at one stage. It was the tipping point of his career and Flintoff managed to finish the tour on a high when he defended 11 runs in the last over of the final ODI at Mumbai running out Anil Kumble and dismissing Javagal Srinath. He took off his shirt in celebration, through both joy and relief.

He showed semblance of his powerful batting in the next tour of New Zealand scoring a rampant 137, his first Test ton. Flintoff's best efforts with the bat came during summer of 2003, when he plundered 423 runs at an exceptionally good rate against South Africa. Flintoff had remodelled his bowling action and continued to be a vital part of the bowling attack despite very little in the wickets column to show for his efforts. His first five wicket haul came during the 2004 tour of West Indies where he ended up with figures of 5/58 at Bridgetown to lead England to a fine victory.

The summer of 2004 was a golden period for both England and Flintoff. He scored 603 runs and picked up 24 wickets as England white washed both New Zealand and West Indies. It was the summer of 2005 though that firmly established Flintoff in the Bothamesque mould. He not just scored runs and picked up wickets but also inspired his team to a greater degree of success as England stunned the undisputed champions of cricket and got the Ashes back after a period of 19 years. After flopping at Lord's, Flintoff established his reputation with 68 & 73 at Birmingham. More than the runs, the speed and the timing were crucial for the ultimate success. It was followed by his first ever Ashes hundred and ended with his first ever five wicket haul to re-create history. Flintoff joined the rest of the team in being honoured with MBE's.

Flintoff was named as the England skipper for the tour of India in early 2006 and was praised for his on-field tactics as England managed a 1-1 draw. His success though was short-lived. He skippered England to one of their disastrous Ashes tours of Australia and ended up losing 5-0. He did better in the triangular series with a surprise finals victory over the hosts.

Flintoff was mired in controversy during the World Cup, 2007, Flintoff was involved in drinking beige and had to be rescued from a falling pedalo. The incident came to be known as the Fredalo incident. He was stripped of his vice-captaincy and played a minor role as England crashed out early. Flintoff suffered a series of injuries right through his career. He managed to surmount energy for more conquest of the Aussies in 2009, but that was the last time one saw Flintoff in his whites. Flintoff announced his retirement from all forms of the game in September, 2010. He then turned to Professional Boxing in 2012 and beat American Richard Dawson.

By Pradeep Krishnamurthy