Andrew Flintoff is aiming to finally make his mark on World Cup history after admitting he is better equipped than ever before to become one of the stars of the tournament.

The Lancashire all-rounder is the most experienced member of England's squad with 112 one-day international appearances and two World Cups to his name.

Since first being picked for the 1999 World Cup aged 21, Flintoff has developed into one of the world's best all-rounders. But he has yet to light up the premier one-day tournament.

England's 1999 campaign was derailed even before the start with a pay dispute over appearance money and bonuses.

Four years later they went out at the first stage again after days of discussions about the moral implications of playing their opening match in Zimbabwe.

''I've played in two World Cups and I'm going into this one at 29 having played a lot more one-day international cricket and I'm far better equipped to do well,'' said Flintoff.

''I'm expecting to perform and make a contribution to the side. I don't feel under pressure because of that.

''I enjoy playing cricket, I enjoy being out there and I've got to take that through. I can't put too much pressure on myself, I've just got to go out and play in a manner in which I know I can.''

In 1999 Flintoff only got to the crease twice during the defeats to South Africa and India and was so distraught at England's abject displays that he left his kit on the team coach and never bothered collecting it from the bus company.

Four years later expectations of him were greater, and although he played important innings against India and Australia, England again left early and Flintoff finished the tournament being fined by the team management for missing a social obligation.

It has made Flintoff all the more hungry to make his mark on this tournament, stressing: ''The last World Cup almost kick-started my career and I'm keen to play a major role in this one.

''If you look at other sports the World Cup is the pinnacle of players' careers and in the one-day format, this is it for us. This is what you build for, this is what you want to perform in.

''It's exciting, it's a big stage and a chance for people to shine. You want to perform on the biggest stage. That's the measure of a player performing on the big occasions in the big tournaments.''

England will start their campaign today against New Zealand, the other Test-playing side in their group.

The tournament rules state that the points gained from results against fellow qualifiers will count towards the next stage and possible progress to the semi-finals.

They are two equally-matched teams and Flintoff conceded: ''It's going to be a huge game in the context of the World Cup."

England may have to enter the game without seamer James Anderson, the only other member of the attack with more than 50 one-day internationals to his name.

Anderson has broken his right little finger and if he is not passed fit to play it could mean a reprieve for Gloucestershire seamer Jon Lewis, who was thought to have lost the battle for selection with Liam Plunkett.