Andrew Flintoff Takes Charge of England Lions

Andrew Flintoff’s coaching journey continues to flourish with his recent appointment as head coach of the England Lions for the upcoming year. The former England all-rounder, now 46, made his return to the cricket world last year after a serious crash on the set of Top Gear left him with significant facial injuries.

Since his return, Flintoff has contributed to the England white-ball team, served as head coach for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, and is currently assisting the England Test squad in their final match against Sri Lanka.

Flintoff is set to begin his new role next month, with the Lions preparing for winter tours in South Africa and Australia. The team will also face India A and Zimbabwe at home next summer.

Flintoff expressed his excitement, describing the position as a fantastic opportunity to work with the country’s rising cricket stars and help shape the future of the men's game. He highlighted his passion for inspiring the next generation and believes that English cricket is in a promising place, with the potential to achieve something remarkable.

Flintoff enjoyed a legendary playing career, featuring in 79 Tests for England from 1998 to 2009, and played a key role in England’s iconic Ashes victory in 2005, which earned him the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Following his retirement from cricket, Flintoff ventured into television, notably hosting Top Gear from 2019 until the accident in 2022 that changed his life. In his documentary Field of Dreams, which recently aired its second season on BBC One, Flintoff revealed that the accident left him battling anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks. Reflecting on his recovery, he admitted that while he may never be completely better, he has accepted the changes and will manage them for the rest of his life.

Flintoff re-entered the public eye when he began working with England's white-ball squad last summer. He has since been a consistent figure in the setup, including during the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA in June. This week, he joined the Test team at The Oval, where he delivered a moving cap presentation to debutant Josh Hull.

England's managing director, Rob Key, who is a close friend of Flintoff, praised him for his coaching qualities. He stated that Flintoff’s kindness is an often-overlooked trait that enhances his coaching, alongside his well-known sense of humour and larger-than-life personality.

Flintoff’s return to cricket has coincided with the rapid rise of his son, Rocky, within Lancashire's ranks. At just 16, Rocky made his second XI debut in April, signed a professional contract, and has since debuted in both first-class and List A cricket, in addition to representing England Under-19s. Flintoff’s older son, Corey, 18, has also played for Lancashire’s second XI, marking the start of another Flintoff family legacy in cricket.