FIVE YEARS AFTER calling time on his cricket career due to a long-standing knee injury, Andrew Flintoff will continue his shock playing return after signing for Australian franchise Brisbane Heat.

The former England all-rounder, who turns 37 in December, was forced to retire after the Ashes in 2009 but made an abrupt comeback in June to play for Lancashire in the Twenty20 Blast competition.

He will join Brisbane for the second half of the Big Bash League which starts in December and runs into the New Year. Flintoff will also work for Australian TV station Network Ten during the competition.

“I really enjoyed my T20 season with Lancs and having the opportunity to keep playing is something I am very pleased about,” Flintoff said. “It’s going to be great heading out to Brisbane and getting into the swing of things for the BBL in December.

“I’ve seen from afar how the BBL has evolved so quickly to become a world class competition and it’s a challenge that I am certainly up for.”

Irish-born English international Eoin Morgan will also feature in the month-long tournament having resigned for Sydney Thunder this week.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s pre-World Cup tour of Australia/New Zealand concluded with defeat to Otago. Jesse Ryder, the New Zealand international who played for Ireland as an overseas player in 2007, bludgeoned a quickfire century as the hosts eased to a three-wicket win.

‘It’s almost incredulous in its make-up’ – Twitter reacts to the Allstars

‘He’s a piece of s***’ – Aldo and Mendes put through final preparations