Andrew Flintoff today won backing from across the cricketing world for his controversial decision to sever his formal ties with the England and Wales Cricket Board and become a freelance one-day player.

Flintoff, who was ineligible for a more lucrative central contract having been forced into Test retirement with a chronic knee complaint, yesterday rejected the offer of an incremental deal that would have handed the ECB some jurisdiction over his playing schedule with only a fraction of the financial reward.

Instead, he intends to market himself as a gun for hire, playing in a series of money-spinning limited-overs competitions the world over.

He still plans to feature for England in 50 and 20-over cricket, but how the England hierarchy will react to the news remains uncertain.

A handful of senior figures within the game have defended the 31-year-old's decision, though.

Australian Stuart Law, who played with Flintoff at Lancashire, backed his former team-mate in the strongest possible terms.

Law believes his efforts in an England shirt earned him the right to turn down a second-tier deal, which he described as a "slap in the face".

"I'm sick and tired of hearing people saying he is just money grabbing," Law told Press Association Sport.

"He's gone to hell and back for England. He's pretty much bowled himself into the dirt for them for a decade.

"I can understand his decision. He's more than done his time for England; he's played his heart out.

"He would have died for England so anyone who thinks he's selfish and grabbing the money needs to have a good hard look at themselves.

"Without him England are not very competitive so for them to offer what is basically a junior contract is a slap in the face."

There was also support from Sean Morris, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, who believes Flintoff is a special case.

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

"Now he's reached a point in his career where he needs to make personal decisions that 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."

Former England captain Mike Gatting also joined in the defence of Flintoff, and does not think there is likely to be a rush of players replicating the decision.

"Economically, you can't blame him," Gatting told Press Association Sport.

"I think there are discussions to be had but it's about what Fred wants more than anything else and whether he's happy to commit as an England one-day player.

"He's made it perfectly clear already he wasn't going to play Test cricket any more. It's now up to Andrew Strauss and (team director) Andy Flower who are going to have to sit down, maybe with Hugh Morris, and talk what their best options are and how it's going to work.

"Fred's is a slightly different scenario because of a chronic injury and I'm not too sure many people will be doing the same because they will want to play Test cricket."