Milestones don't impress Andrew Flintoff

Dubai: Hundreds of cricket fans queued up at the Magrudy's Book Shop at the Dubai Festival City on Saturday to meet England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and get his signature on his new book Ashes to Ashes.

Though the book signing was to begin only at 6.30pm, fans queued up as early as 4.30pm.

Watch video of Flintoff at Dubai book signing session

Some of them carried Flintoff's earlier books like Being Freddie, and Freddie Flintoff Autobiography and got it signed. He patiently signed all the books and talked to his fans and even posed for snaps with them.

Speaking to Gulf News, Flintoff, who picked Dubai to recuperate from a knee surgery, said: "It is now nine weeks since I am here in Dubai. I recovered from my injury about 12 weeks ago. I am working very well with my physiotherapist here."

Flintoff is delighted with the sporting scene here and made it a point to watch some of the sporting action.

He was one of the star attractions during the Formula One Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. "I have been to Abu Dhabi and has also been watching some good golf here. Football is coming in December (Fifa World Cup) and there is a lot going in cricket as well. So it is really a good place to be at the moment."

Flintoff is hoping to be back in action by mid February next year for the series against Bangladesh. He has scored 3,845 runs in Test matches and 3,394 runs in One-dayers.

When asked whether his immediate target is to cross the 4,000 run mark, Flintoff said: "I won't get there in Test cricket because I have retired but I may be able to do it in One-dayers. However, I am not one for milestones all that I want to do is perform and get a few runs on the way."

Flintoff also expressed his appreciation for the infrastructure for sports in UAE.

"The infrastructure for sports here is fantastic. I had visited the Dubai Sports City and moved around and had a look at the facilities at the cricket stadium. By the time I get back on my feet and start practising, the practice facilities at the Sports City will be ready so I can do my rehab there and get back into form," said Flintoff, who has bagged 226 wickets in Tests and 169 wickets in One-dayers.

Talking about his new book, he said: "It went down well in England. It has got cricket in it and there are also my thoughts over a few tricky times in my career during the last four years."

Among the hundreds of fans was Natasha Michael, who had captained UAE women's cricket team.

"It is fantastic to meet a great player like Flintoff and get his signature on his book. It will be one among my rare collections," said Michael.

The turning points

Andrew Flintoff's latest book, Ashes to Ashes reveals the exciting battle of the Ashes series in 2009. He beautifully describes in his words many incidents on and off the field. Flintoff's magnificent spell at the Lord's and his spectacular run out of Ricky Ponting at the Oval were the key moments that turned the series in England's favour.

It was through 2005 Ashes series that Flintoff won a place in the hearts of the cricket fans. His splendid all-round match winning performances helped England regain the Ashes after 18 years.

In Ashes to Ashes he writes about the various turning points of the series and describes his frustration during the period out of the game through ankle and knee injuries and anxiety over the major operations that he had to undergo.

Other books by Flintoff are: Being Freddie, My Story So Far, Freddie My World, Freddie Flintoff Autobiography, Freddie Flintoff Ashes 2009, and My Life In Pictures.

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