Andrew Flintoff has no doubt that playing in the IPL was the right one, despite suggestions that he rest before the Ashes.

The England all-rounder has been plagued by injury in recent years and there are fears that playing in the Twenty20 extravaganza in South Africa might be dangerous with a crucial series against Australia still to come in the summer.

But the 31-year-old, who will play for the Chennai Super Kings against the Mumbai Indians at Newlands tomorrow has one message for cynics that want him wrapped in cotton-wool.

"I missed a lot of cricket through injury. I missed four weeks this winter, so the more cricket I can play now, the better for me," he said.

"Also I think that people are losing sight of the importance of the (Twenty20) World Cup in England. The importance not just for myself, but people like Dimi Mascarenhas, KP (Kevin Pietersen) and Ravi Bopara developing the skills in this form of the game because it's just getting bigger and better."

The Lancashire star, who confirmed his status in international cricket with his IPL price tag when along with Pietersen, he sold for 1.55 million US dollars (around £1.05million) at this season's auction, believes that playing in the league can only be of benefit to the English game.

He continued: "We have the Twenty20 World Cup in England in a few weeks' time and T20 cricket is something England need to improve on. We've not had too much success as England.

"I think like it or hate it - it's going to be around for a long time. It's going to be a big part of international cricket as well. The game has been a success since it started in England and I can only see it going from strength to strength.

"We played the World Cup out here a few years back, it didn't go too well and then we got found out in the West Indies.

"There are a few English players out here and that can only help us. The more exposure you're going to get, the better you're going to get. And that's something I want to do, develop my skills and improve my game."

Like Flintoff, Pietersen is hoping that some of his team-mates playing in the league, which was shifted to South Africa due to security fears during India's national elections, can learn more about cricket's newest format.

He said: "I'm here to try and have a fantastic two weeks to learn my cricket through the legends I'm going to be playing with and playing against.

"Hopefully a lot of the England boys playing here can do that and we take that back to England so that we can compete at a really good level in the Twenty20 World Cup. It's huge for the Twenty20 World Cup for the England players to play well.

"I definitely think it's going to take our game forward and if we want to compete in the Twenty20 World Cup, then we've definitely got to improve our skills in T20 cricket. Some of our best players are here in this tournament and it can only do good for our game."

Pietersen, who will captain the Bangalore Royal Challengers against the Rajasthan Royals tomorrow, and his England colleagues will only participate in the competition for two weeks before heading off to prepare for a home series against West Indies.

And despite being disappointed that he could not play for longer, the 28-year-old highlighted that the chance to play for his country was even bigger.

"It's disappointing to leave early for me. But at the end of the day, I love playing Test cricket, which is number one for me, and I can't wait to walk onto Lord's for any Test match.

"So it's disappointing because I only lead the side for two weeks and somebody else takes over. But I mean to go back to England to play a Test match at Lord's, there's nothing better."

England have also recently appointed a new coach in Andy Flower and Pietersen praised the new man, adding: "I'm very, very excited. Andy did a fantastic job in the Caribbean and I've said that on numerous occasions. So I can't wait to work with him again properly.

"I've got on really well with him and I'm looking forward to working with him again in two-and-a-half weeks' time."