The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have admitted that despite the incremental contract, they would not be able to stop star cricketer Andrew Flintoff from hawking his cricketing talents around the world.
Flintoff had announced his retirement from Test cricket at the conclusion of the 2009 Ashes series, and under the terms and conditions of the new contract, he must only make himself available for all short-form matches.
Outside that, England team director Andy Flower can no longer demand where and when he plays, but only make requests to the all-rounder, The Mirror reports.
It means that once Flintoff recovers from his knee injury he would be free to sign lucrative contracts with Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings, Lancashire and England.
The new contract is also an encouraging sign for Flintoff''s agent Andrew Chandler, who has been in negotiations with local teams from Australia, South Africa and the West Indies for the all-rounder''s services.