The all-rounder is set to return for Michael Vaughan's side in the second npower Test against South Africa at Headingley on Friday morning for the first time since the final match of the last ill-fated Ashes tour, when an England side captained by the 30-year-old in Vaughan's absence were condemned to a 5-0 series whitewash.

"Being captain is not something I'm looking to do now." Flintoff told the Daily Mirror.

He added: "I'm glad I had a go at being England captain and at times I really enjoyed it, When you're not playing quite as well it makes the job much tougher.

"I think I have an influence within the side the way I play my cricket and I just want to carry on with that."