Andrew Flintoff's decision to refuse an England contract has been supported by the Professional Cricketers' Association.

PCA chief executive Sean Morris defended Flintoff's right to turn down the incremental contract, and he now plans to travel the world as a freelance player.

Flintoff remains available for England one-day matches but, having retired from Test cricket, the 31-year-old intends to manage his own playing schedule.

That is likely to mean he plays in the Indian Premier League again in 2010, and further overseas club cricket opportunities may also be open.

Flintoff has provisionally made himself available for England's Bangladesh tour in February and the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean, either side of a stint for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

Morris told BBC Radio Five Live: "In Andrew's case, it's a slightly unique example because over the last 10 years he's given his all to English cricket.

"His body clock is beginning to run down and now he's reached a point in his career where he needs to make personal decisions which are best for him and his family.

"He is probably in a unique position because he's built his international value through performing well for England.

"As a result he can gain rewards for playing in Sydney or Mumbai that most other players can't.

"At the moment I'd say he's in a pretty elite group of a very few players."

Morris rejected the suggestion Kevin Pietersen could also be tempted by the potential rewards of becoming a 'freelance' cricketer.

"KP would be very much focusing on playing for England," Morris said.

"If you speak to the current crop of England players, they still believe representing their country is the number one priority and they're totally committed to that.

"Freddie's body is telling him enough is enough.

"He's only got a small window left in his career and he's got to take advantage of that."

Morris warned hectic international schedules from 2012 onwards could lead some players to question which competitions they should be taking part in.

"The schedules from 2012 to 2020 are horrendous," Morris said.

"And you add to that a couple of domestic tournaments, such as the IPL and Champions League, and you get a concertina effect where the top players physically and mentally will not be able to perform in all of it and as a result they will be forced to choose between one and the other.

"That's a situation we really don't want to get to."