Andrew Flintoff signs Big Bash deal with Brisbane Heat

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has joined Brisbane Heat for the Australian Big Bash T20. Flintoff, 36, returned to professional cricket after almost five years in retirement in July, helping Lancashire to the final of the T20 Blast. The Ashes winner and former Test captain will join up with Brisbane Heat , who are coached by ex-Lancashire team-mate Stuart Law, in December. "I'm excited to be coming back to Australia and Brisbane," Flintoff said. "Stuart (Law) and I have had a few conversations and I'm clear on what we're looking to achieve in the competition. "The Heat squad has some exciting talent and I'm looking forward to catching up with Dan Vettori again." England international Eoin Morgan and former England batsman Kevin Pietersen have already joined other Big Bash teams. Morgan will play for Sydney Thunder while Pietersen has signed for Melbourne Stars.

Feel the Heat

Brisbane Heat's squad includes Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, all-rounder Shane Watson and New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori.

The Heat won the Big Bash in 2013 but could only finish fifth last season.

Though Flintoff was limited to only two regular-season T20 Blast games by injury, he returned for the final against Birmingham Bears. He took the important wicket of Ian Bell with his first delivery and hit two sixes off eight balls en route to a quickfire 20, but his side lost by four runs. "I've told Fred we signed him to win games of cricket, so that means we want him bowling 140km/h (90mph), hitting sixes and using his experience around the group to get the job done,'' Law said.

"He's a wonderful person and we're looking forward to having Fred and his family with us at the Heat over the summer." Since announcing his retirement in 2009, Flintoff has been involved in broadcasting and made a documentary about his one-fight professional boxing career.