Andrew Flintoff won backing from across the cricketing world for his decision to sever his formal ties with the ECB.

Flintoff, who was ineligible for a more lucrative central contract having been forced into Test retirement with a chronic knee complaint, yesterday rejected the offer of an incremental deal that would have handed the ECB some jurisdiction over his playing schedule with only a fraction of the financial reward.

Instead, he intends to market himself as a gun for hire, playing in a series of money-spinning limited-overs competitions the world over.

He still plans to feature for England in 50 and 20-over cricket, but how the England hierarchy will react to the news remains uncertain.

A handful of senior figures within the game have defended the 31-year-old's decision, though.

Australian Stuart Law, who played with Flintoff at Lancashire, backed his former team-mate in the strongest possible terms.

Decision

Law believes his efforts in an England shirt earned him the right to turn down a second-tier deal, which he described as a "slap in the face".

"I'm sick and tired of hearing people saying he is just money grabbing," Law told Press Association Sport.

"He's gone to hell and back for England. He's pretty much bowled himself into the dirt for them for a decade.

"I can understand his decision. He's more than done his time for England; he's played his heart out.

"He would have died for England so anyone who thinks he's selfish and grabbing the money needs to have a good hard look at themselves.

"Without him England are not very competitive so for them to offer what is basically a junior contract is a slap in the face."

Unique position

There was also support from Sean Morris, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, who believes Flintoff is a special case.

"In Andrew's case, it's a slightly unique example because over the last 10 years he's given his all to English cricket," Morris told BBC Radio Five Live.

"Now he's reached a point in his career where he needs to make personal decisions that are best for him and his family.

"He is probably in a unique position because he's built his international value through performing well for England. As a result he can gain rewards for playing in Sydney or Mumbai that most other players can't."

Flintoff got it right, says Younus: Flintoff turning freelancer doesn't surprise Pakistan skipper Younus Khan, who feels cash-rich events like IPL and ICL have changed cricketer's outlook and more players might follow the England all-rounder.

"I think Flintoff got it right given the existing circumstances in cricket these days. With Twenty20 cricket gaining so much popularity and with more money coming in it could prove to be more beneficial for a professional cricketer to remain freelance," Younus told PTI before leaving for South Africa.

"The Indian Premier League and even events like the Indian Cricket League have changed the thinking of the professional cricketer. He is earning more from these private leagues. So obviously there is this option of remaining freelance instead of being tied down by a central contract," he added.

Younus pointed out that once a player signed a central contract with his board its terms and conditions becomes a binding on him.

"I can understand Flintoff's thinking. Without a central contract a player can also appear in domestic tournaments in other countries for good money and they are lot of options available now," he added. .

Former England captain Mike Gatting: He also joined in the defence of Flintoff, and does not think there is likely to be a rush of players replicating the decision.

"Economically, you can't blame him," Gatting told Press Association Sport.

"I think there are discussions to be had but it's about what Fred wants more than anything else and whether he's happy to commit as an England one-day player.

"He's made it perfectly clear already he wasn't going to play Test cricket any more. It's now up to Andrew Strauss and (team director) Andy Flower who are going to have to sit down, maybe with Hugh Morris, and talk what their best options are and how it's going to work.

"Fred's is a slightly different scenario because of a chronic injury and I'm not too sure many people will be doing the same because they will want to play Test cricket."

Smith: Fred's decision was influenced by money: However, South African skipper Graeme Smith feels Andrew Flintoff's surprise decision to shun England's central contract for a 'freelance career' was influenced by the huge finacial rewards that has come into the game recenlty.

Smith said the ICC needs to look into the matter seriously and plan the Future Tours Programme in a more meaningful manner to avoid the mass exodus of players.

"I don't think you can blame the individual, but it's an interesting time for cricket, and interesting to see where it goes now. The crucial aspect is the decisions the leadership makes in the future.

"The ICC needs to give cricket a good direction, and crucial to that is how they look at the FTP because the decisions they make around that are going to be so important for the future of the game," Smith told a cricket website.

"I don't think you can blame Fred for the decision that he's made. He's had a very successful career, and at this stage of his career, he wants to maximise his worth and really take control of things. He's had a number of injuries, and for his own good, he needs to take control of the few years he has left in him.

"For me international cricket is still the pinnacle but you can't hide the fact that huge financial rewards and benefits for players have come into the game in the last few years, and it's obviously such a short career, so you want to make as much money in that time as possible," Smith added.

He believes ICC needs to plan the FTP sensibly and feels the on-going seven-match one-day series between England and Australia is a classic example of poor scheduling.

"With the greatest respect, the seven ODIs taking place in England at the moment are more for financial benefit than meaningful cricket.

"People want to see strength for strength, they want to see international sides trying their best in competitive tours. I mean, the Ashes was great to watch, it was competitive down to the last Test match, and speaking for myself as a cricketer, that's how you want to see all cricket being played," Smith said.

"But all these meaningless tours just sap your body, especially when you are playing away from home for a long time. I think the ICC needs to really look at the format going forward, and really take control of the international game," the left-handed batsman signed off.