England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket after the fifth and final match of the Ashes Series against Australia, has now set eyes on becoming the best one-day cricketer of the world.
"Now I am setting my sights on being the best one-day player in the world," said Flintoff.
England won the Ashes series 2-1 by virtue of the 197-run victory in the decider on Sunday.
The 31-year-old all-rounder's career has been blighted by injuries and Flintoff has now decided his body can no longer stand the strain of Test cricket.
"I have made my decision, or rather the decision has been made for me. I have had all these operations - bowling and Test cricket do not seem to match," said Flintoff.
The all-rounder was also quite sure that future of the English cricket is in good hands.
"We've got the talent, we've got the side to do it. It's just a case of believing it and putting it into practice.
"One comforting thing is, having seen the past five Test matches, is that I'll disappear and the England side will be in good hands," he said.
Flintoff, whose celebrations after England regained the Ashes at the same venue four years ago have become part of English folklore, said he had been more restrained this time.
"It was different, I had a few beers last night and then went to bed," he said.
"As good as it was last time, this was more poignant. I couldn't ask for a better way to finish surrounded by friends, family, a special team. I played a part in an Ashes victory, it doesn't get much better."
HIGH HOPES
Victory in the Ashes series in his swansong Test was a perfect way to bid adieu to Test cricket and now Andrew Flintoff longs to end his one-day career on a similar high: by winning the 2015 World Cup.
Flintoff, who underwent a knee surgery last night, said he is keen to return to cricket field.
"Obviously there are no guarantees but, having spoken to the surgeon, I'm confident I'll be able to get back on the field. However long the rehab takes I'm prepared to do it to give myself the best chance of playing international cricket again.
"I want to play at the World Cup in 2011 and the one after that too. I've finished my Test career with an Ashes victory and I want to finish my one-day career with a World Cup win in 2015. That would be perfect," Flintoff was quoted as saying by the 'Guardian'.
The burly all rounder also revealed how emotions overpowered him after playing the final Test of his career at The Oval on Sunday.
"I admit I was tearful. And then I saw one of the Sky Sports cameras hovering and thought 'Nobody's seeing my crying', so I nipped into the toilets, gave myself a minute, got myself together and got on with the job of celebrating.
Flintoff admitted that it would not be easy to get to full fitness but said he was determined to help England play well in short version of the game.
"The harsh reality is that I need my knee sorting out. It's a long road back to fitness but I've done it before. And seeing the scenes at The Oval, it's made me more determined to get back fit and play in front of the full houses in England or abroad and try to make a difference with the one-day side," he said.
Flintoff said he was eyeing Bangladesh tour for his comeback to competitive cricket.
"The surgeon's got a good idea what he's going to find. We'll see how I wake up after the anaesthetic but, realistically, I'm going to struggle to get back playing before Christmas.
"I've retired from Test cricket but there's a tour to Bangladesh [early next year] which I desperately want to be involved in. That could be my first cricket back," he said.
EMULATE AUSTRALIA
Meanwhile, Flintoff has asked his teammates to follow in the footsteps of arch-rival Australia and back their Ashes success with more wins if they desire to dominate world cricket.
"If lessons can be learned from the past, it's that now is the time to try and dominate the world of cricket as a Test team," Flintoff was quoted as saying in the Guardian.
"Enjoy this week, celebrate, get it out of your system and then move on, almost be Australia-like in the way that they've gone about it. "They've won series in the past and they've continued to beat people," he added.
At six feet and four inches, the 31-year-old may not come across as an emotional person but Flintoff said he had his teary moments after the Oval Test.
"I didn't think I'd get emotional but I did a little bit," said Flintoff, who quit Test cricket to concentrate his on one-day career.
"I sat in my corner in the place where I always sit at The Oval, on the left in the corner with all my kit everywhere.
