Andrew Flintoff takes a big job back in cricket as he makes his first moves back into the sport after his horror Top Gear crash last year
- Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has been named the head coach of a major cricket side
- It follows his car crash while filming Top Gear that left him with serious injuries
Andrew Flintoff will take the biggest step yet in his return to cricket after being named the head coach for the Northern Superchargers in next summer’s Hundred.
The hero of England’s famous 2005 Ashes triumph has been making a gradual return to the sport that made his name after the car crash earlier this year while filming BBC’s Top Gear that left him with serious injuries.
Flintoff first emerged as an unpaid mentor with the England one-day side in their limited-overs series against New Zealand last summer after watching three Ashes Tests incognito at the invitation of his close friend and managing director of England cricket Rob Key.
Such was the impact made by ‘Freddie’ that he stayed on for the 50-over series against Ireland that completed the summer and on Thursday he will travel to Abu Dhabi as a consultant on the Lions red-ball practice tour.
Now comes the biggest move yet for Flintoff as he is set to replace James Foster as the coach of the Leeds-based team in the ECB’s 100-ball competition. Kyle Hogg, who appeared with Flintoff on the BBC cricket documentary Field of Dreams, will be his assistant.
Andrew Flintoff has been named the new head coach of the Northern Superchargers after impressing while working with the England men’s senior side earlier this year
Flintoff’s gradual return to the sport comes following his serious crash filming on Top Gear
He is set to replace James Foster as the coach of the Leeds-based team in the ECB’s 100-ball competition (Harry Brook pictured for the Superchargers back in August)
Speaking following his appointment, Flintoff said: ‘My time with the England men’s team has been a reminder of just how special cricket is to me.
‘I’m relishing the opportunity to be back amongst it, helping to guide the Superchargers team to success on the field while making memories off it, and helping take cricket to more people.
‘The Superchargers have a great fan base who I cannot wait to meet and bring along with us this season. I’m looking forward to making Headingley my new home.’
Flintoff takes charge of a team who finished bottom of the men’s standings this year, winning just two of their eight matches despite having England stars Adil Rashid and Harry Brook in their ranks.
The fourth edition of the 100-ball competition will take place next summer.
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