June 05, London

Andrew Flintoff played in IPL II despite having a knee problem which forced him to undergo surgery.Due to which he had to miss the two Test series against West Indies and now he is out of the ICC World T20, but Flintoff says that he is on track to be fit for the Ashes.

While speaking to BBC Sport he said, “I went quite honestly to progress my game. The timing wasn't ideal but it was better to have it then than the third Test against Australia."

This mighty all rounder has a history of injuries over the past three years since helping England clinch n historic Ashes win on home oil in 2005. He returned home from the West Indies tour earlier this year for treatment on a hip injury and recovered in time for the end of the one-day series, taking a hat-trick in the deciding match in St Lucia to help England to victory.

But after opting to play with IPL side Chennai Super Kings in South Africa in April, Flintoff's injury curse struck again and he had to undergo surgery with a meniscus tear in his right knee.

"It was unfortunate," he added. "I've got this degenerate problem, but if I had been playing for Lancashire the same week the same thing would have happened.

"The idea was to play six games, improve and see how the other guys go about their business. I wanted to pick the brains of team-mates and opponents and get better."

Flintoff admitted to being "desperately frustrated" at missing the World Twenty20 campaign - England begin against the Netherlands on Friday - and although saying his side were far from favourites, he did think they still "might surprise a few".

Having played 75 Tests and 141 one-day internationals since making his England debut in 1998, he continues his rehabilitation, aiming to play for Lancashire before facing the Australians in the opening Ashes Test in Cardiff on 8 July.

Under the guidance of Lancashire physio Dave Roberts, Flintoff said his recovery was "on track".
"There have been a lot of injuries and the one thing that keeps you going is wearing an England shirt and going up against Australia," he said.

"The incentive to do well in that series as a team and individually is massive.
"I just want to get back on the cricket field, take some wickets, score runs and be in a position to take control in Cardiff."