A great achievement of Flintoff and he truely deserves it. He is a great rolemodel for the England team. And he staid till 3 am late to accept his award. And tomorrow he has a match to play against Pakistan.

Warne won the overseas player award. A great recognition for him as well.

Also the England team won the team's award. It's a great achievement especially since this year Liverpool has won the Champions League. So this year cricket has won over football in England.

Flintoff wins top BBC Sport award

Andrew Flintoff has become the first cricketer for 24 years to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Flintoff played a key role in England's spectacular Ashes summer, as they beat Australia in a Test series for the first time since 1987.

He won the public vote ahead of sailor Ellen MacArthur, with Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard in third.

Flintoff received the award from Ian Botham in Pakistan, where he was due to play a one-day match on Monday morning.

He topped a public poll after viewers were invited to vote from a shortlist of six contenders, which also included his captain Michael Vaughan, rising tennis star Andrew Murray and boxer Ricky Hatton.

Flintoff expressed his delight after being presented with the coveted trophy.

"To receive it from Ian, my boyhood hero, makes it all the more sweet," he said.

"Being involved in the Ashes was something special, a great thing. It was a real team effort. As for Vaughany, leading us was outstanding.

"Thank you to everyone who voted for me."

Flintoff was the team's leading wicket-taker, with 24 victims, and one of just three batsman on either side to top 400 runs.

The all-rounder scored a vital 73 and took late wickets in a thrilling two-run win at Edgbaston to bring the Ashes series level at 1-1 after England had lost the opening match.

It prompted comparisons with Botham, who won the BBC prize in 1981 after playing a similarly inspirational part against Australia.

Flintoff scored a century at Trent Bridge, where England secured a three-wicket win to ensure they could not lose the series.

And he took five wickets at The Oval to help ensure the draw that sealed England's Ashes victory.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/4519124.stm