England cricket chiefs are reportedly looking to find a paid role for Andrew Flintoff following his spell as a consultant coach. White-ball coach Matthew Mott has also confirmed he would love to see the former all-rounder return after his recent stint.
Flintoff made a surprise appearance at the one-day international against New Zealand at Cardiff on September 8. It was his first public showing since his horror crash while filming for BBC show Top Gear last December.
The 45-year-old suffered serious facial injuries and broken ribs after the open-topped car he was driving at 130mph flipped and slid along the track at Dunsfold Park in Surrey. For the first nine months of his recovery, Flintoff would only leave his house with his face covered.
But England brought him in as an unpaid mentor and consultant for the recent ODIs against both New Zealand and Ireland, with his face well on the mend despite still showing the aftermath of the effects of the crash. The Times claims England now want to find a more permanent role for Flintoff.
Read more… Freddie Flintoff ‘not being paid’ for England cricket role
England Test captain Ben Stokes is said to be a big fan of having Flintoff around the squad. England flew to India for the World Cup on Wednesday but Flintoff was not part of the travelling party.
England play the West Indies in a white-ball series in December but that could still be too soon for Flintoff to take up a paid role. However, he may join for the Test tour to India, which starts on January 25 next year and concludes in March.
Mott has loved having Flintoff involved and confirmed he would return in some capacity in the future. Asked whether he would be in the Caribbean, Mott said: “Not sure. He’s definitely going to join us again in future though; we’ve loved having him around.
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“He’s revered, he’s got an aura about him. He’s very special and [with] what he’s gone through recently, the humility he’s displayed and the life experiences he can share have been immense.
“Even the seasoned Test veterans, they grew up idolising him, and to see him in the flesh offering so much has been very special.
“He’s keen to do the [under-]19s, pathway… [he’s] an incredible asset to have around and he’s loved it – he’s certainly got plenty of banter in and long may that continue.”
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