Injured Flintoff gets England contract

Injured all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been handed one of England's increment contracts for the next 12 months.

Flintoff, 31, who has retired from Test cricket, is currently recovering from knee surgery after helping England regain the Ashes.

Matt Prior, Graeme Swann and Graham Onions are among the 11 players awarded full central contracts. The deals run from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Steve Harmison and spinner Monty Panesar have been completely overlooked. They both received full deals last year, along with former captain Michael Vaughan, who retired earlier this summer.

"Following his retirement from Test cricket, Andrew Flintoff is no longer eligible for a 12-month central contract," said national selector Geoff Miller.

"The decision to award an incremental contract to Andrew reflects our view that he will still have an important role to play in our one-day side going forward and we wish him well with his rehabilitation from injury."

Of the new batch of awards, Miller added: "I am delighted that Graham Onions, Matt Prior and Graeme Swann have all been awarded 12-month central contracts for the first time. Central contracts are designed to reward players who perform well consistently for England and all three have made a very significant contribution to the team's recent success in regaining the Ashes and beating West Indies at home in both Test and one-day series.

"Likewise, the award of incremental contracts to Tim Bresnan, Adil Rashid and Jonathan Trott for the first time is in recognition of the excellent start they have all made to their international careers and their potential to develop still further as cricketers over the next 12 months."

England players awarded central contracts: James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss and Graeme Swann.

Players awarded increment contracts: Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Andrew Flintoff, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Jonathan Trott and Luke Wright.