Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted he and his team were "a little bit surprised" by the announcement Andrew Flintoff will retire from Test cricket following this summer's Ashes series.

The 31-year-old Lancashire all-rounder confirmed this morning, 24 hours before the second Test gets under way at Lord's, that he plans to call time on his Test career after the remaining four matches against Australia.

Ashley Giles gives his reaction to Andrew Flintoff's decision to retire from Test cricket.

Ponting said: "We're a little bit surprised to tell you the truth.

"I guess we're all just a bit eager now to see what happens with him tomorrow - if he's fit to play in the game tomorrow."

When asked whether he was surprised by the timing of the announcement, Ponting replied: "It depends how bad his injury is, I guess. If his injury is significant then it's probably not a bad time. If he's been thinking about it for a while it probably is a little bit surprising it's come on the eve of the second Test match.

Andrew Flintoff talks to the media about his decision to retire from Test cricket after the Ashes.

"It's got to come to all of us some day when we've got to think about making the announcement!"

Australia do not have any special plans for Flintoff in the upcoming four Tests.

"No extra than last week," said Ponting. "We know how big a figure he is in the England team. I think you could even see that last week with his first spell back in the Test side - the whole ground sort of lifted, it changed the real feel around the ground last week.

"I thought we did a good job. We played him very well last week whether it was with the ball when he was bowling or when we had a chance to bowl to him."

Andrew Strauss reflects on Andrew Flintoff's decision and Ricky Ponting looks ahead to the next Ashes Test at Lords.

Ponting insisted he had enjoyed the rivalry with Flintoff over the years and paid tribute to his fighting spirit.

"He's been a great figure in the game," said the Australia skipper. "The way he's gone about his cricket, the way he's played the game and how much he's enjoyed the battle - probably particular in Ashes cricket - is something that's been very fun to be a part of for me."