Andre Flintoff: future as a specialist batsman? Photo © John Dawson

Andrew Flintoff has admitted that he will have much to think about when he returns from Pakistan. Forced home early for a second consecutive winter, Flintoff knows that his career is at a crossroads.

He is reluctant to give up bowling entirely, quite aware that his chances of future international recognition are much stronger as an allrounder than as a specialist batsman. His body, however, seems unable to cope with the demands of fast bowling.

"I enjoy bowling and at the moment the best way of me getting into the England side is as an all-rounder," he admitted. "I want to bowl. If I was just regarded as a batsman then I'd probably be behind a lot of people."

"If I didn't bowl I would be fine and be able to do everything everyone else does and we are going to look into the possibility of changing my action to see if that helps. I think I've got quite an awkward-looking bowling action so that may be something worth looking at."

His other options look fairly drastic. He can try long-term rest, a plan that has so far shown no sign of helping, or he can undergo an operation.

"I will go back after the one-day series and see the specialists and get as much advice as possible and try and sort out a long-term plan for the problem."

"What happens now will ultimately be my decision and whether I opt for an operation or a rest I'm not too sure, but I will have to speak to the specialists before I decide what is best for me."

"If someone said they could operate with a 99% chance of it working then it's something I would have to consider, but you don't have an operation on your back lightly"

Whatever happens, Flintoff is confident that he still has an international future.

"If it comes to being a specialist batsman then that's what I'll do, I'm confident I can get into the England side as a batter."

"It will take a lot of hard work and probably a bit more time and I must admit that I never thought I'd be talking about stopping bowling at 22 - I don't want to give it up."

© CricInfo Ltd.