Antigua (West Indies), Feb. 12 : While there has been a hue and cry over England cricket all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and fast bowler Steve Harmison going on a free booze cruise shortly after the team's humiliating defeat in the Jamaica Test, it turns out that both were given permission to go by none other than skipper Andrew Strauss.

According to The Sun, England managing director Hugh Morris has cleared both Flintoff and Harmison of any wrongdoing following a probe.

It emerged that Strauss allowed the trip and operations manager Phil Neale handed the two players their passports before they departed.

Antigua (West Indies), Feb. 11: England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is confident that the team will bounce back from the first Test loss and seal the series against the West Indies.

The second Test begins at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground here on Friday, and as the side''s most capped player, Flintoff indicated that getting back to playing top-notch cricket start on that day.

London, Feb. 11: England cricket stars Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison went on a lavish free booze cruise just hours after England's humiliating innings and 23 run Test defeat against the West Indies in Sabina Park, Jamaica.

The pair lapped up luxury on a superliner after the West Indies bowled them out for an embarrassing 51.

They were flown back to the team hotel by helicopter after staying the night on board the "six-star" Silver Shadow, reports The Sun.

Panaji, Feb 6 : Star England players Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff have become the costliest players of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being sold for a whopping 1.55 million dollars in the second edition.

Pietersen was bought by Bangalore Royal Challengers while Flintoff went to Chennai Super King.

Bangalore Royal Challengers spent most of their 1.95 million dollars on Pietersen who had base price of 1.35 million dollars.

Among other players, Australia''s Shawn Tait was purchased by title holders of the inaugural edition Rajasthan Royals for 375,000 dollars while South African batsman Jean Paul Duminy went to Mumbai Indians for 950,000 dollars.

Jamaica (West Indies), Feb. 3 : England all rounder Andrew Flintoff has known for several years of Andrew Strauss' burning ambition to become England captain.

Freddie believes that it is now vital that the calm and calculated Strauss builds a strong rapport with the team and win the series against the Windies.

London, Jan 23 : England Batsman Kevin Pietersen and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will play in the Indian Premier League after signing their national central contracts.

Talks between England's players and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on signing of the annual deals had stalled over how long they would be allowed to play in the IPL, The News reported.

The agreement will allow a chosen few, probably Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah and maybe Ravi Bopara, to earn some big money quickly.