Antigua (West Indies), Feb. 12 : While there has been a hue and cry over England cricket all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and fast bowler Steve Harmison going on a free booze cruise shortly after the team's humiliating defeat in the Jamaica Test, it turns out that both were given permission to go by none other than skipper Andrew Strauss.

According to The Sun, England managing director Hugh Morris has cleared both Flintoff and Harmison of any wrongdoing following a probe.

It emerged that Strauss allowed the trip and operations manager Phil Neale handed the two players their passports before they departed.

They boarded the luxury liner Silver Shadow in Kingston, Jamaica, just hours after England were bowled out for 51 on their way to a crushing innings defeat in the First Test.

Freddie and Harmy had dinner and mingled with supporters and, after the boat set sail, stayed the night.

The pair returned to the team hotel by helicopter the next afternoon from Ocho Rios, on the opposite side of Jamaica.

Other players could have gone, but only Flintoff and Harmison took up the invitation.

The Sun quoted Morris as saying: "Both Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison sought permission to go from Andrew Strauss on the cricket side and Phil Neale from the operational side. They had been invited by some friends and sponsors they knew well. People on the ship said they behaved impeccably."

Morris himself, boss of the England team, did not know until Tuesday about Flintoff and Harmison even going on the boat. (ANI)