Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff is raring to go as he prepares to face Australia again.

Flintoff flies out tomorrow to play for the Rest of the World against Australia and he said last night: "I'm looking forward to getting out there.

"It's massive to be playing for a Rest of the World side and I really want to do well.

"There are some great players taking part and I'll be like a kid in a sweet shop, taking my autograph book."

Flintoff, chosen as the man of the Ashes series, had not had time to savour his success before picking up another prize last night.

On his way into London's Royal Albert Hall where he was named as the Professional Cricketers Association Player of the Year, he revealed that he had not had the chance to watch the videos of the Ashes triumph.

He continued: "I seem to have slipped back into everyday life. I've spent time with family and friends but we've moved house and everything has been in boxes, including the video."

But reflecting on England's triumph and the ensuing celebrations which gripped the nation, he said: "It's been a roller-coaster of emotions. It's been enjoyable, it's been tense, it's been nervy and to come out with the Ashes has been amazing - but at the end I just wished there was another Test to play the following week."

Flintoff and England team-mate Marcus Trescothick both insisted England still have some way to go before they can overtake Australia and be hailed as the No 1 team in the world.

That means continuing their tremendous run of success on foreign soil.

Victory over Australia to retain the Ashes Down Under in the winter of 2006-07 would put the issue beyond doubt - but they are not looking that far ahead.

"There's a lot of cricket to play before then," said vicecaptain Trescothick as he looked ahead to this winter's tours to Pakistan and India.

"We are not going to get too far ahead of ourselves."

The majority of the England side - with the notable exceptions of captain Michael Vaughan, fifth Test last-day batting star Kevin Pietersen and fast bowler Simon Jones, whose hopes of making the plane to Pakistan are rated at 50-50 because of his ankle injury - were at the PCA bash at the Albert Hall.

Spinner Ashley Giles said: "They've been great but it's the last hurrah. We're back in the gym tomorrow and we've a lot of preparation to do before we fly out to Pakistan."