Andrew Flintoff set to continue England coaching job after horror Top Gear crash

27 September 2023 , 21:55

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Andrew Flintoff at the fourth ODI against New Zealand at Lord's (Image: Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)

Andrew Flintoff's recent role with the England ODI team wasn't just a temporary measure, according to limited-overs coach Matthew Mott.

Flintoff, 45, remains an iconic figure among cricket fans with his displays in the 2005 Ashes series etched in folklore. He eventually retired in 2009, again after helping inspire his country to a Test series win over Australia on home soil.

But in December last year, he was airlifted to hospital after suffering a high-speed crash whilst filming for Top Gear at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey. Flintoff's roofless three-wheeler reportedly flipped and slid along a track whilst he was travelling at over 100mph, and he spent the proceeding nine months out of the public eye having not returned to the BBC show.

However, England fans were then pleasantly surprised when the former all-rounder attended the ODI clash with New Zealand at Sophia Gardens on September 8. It later emerged the star, whose facial injuries from the crash remain visible, had taken on a short-term role on Mott's staff.

He remained with the side throughout the 3-1 series win, and for the three-match battle with Ireland. However, rain scuppered two of those clashes, with England prevailing 1-0 courtesy of their win on Saturday at Trent Bridge.

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Mott has confirmed that 'Freddie' will not be travelling to India for the ODI World Cup in October and November, but didn't rule out him rejoining the set-up for the bilateral ODI and T20 series against West Indies in December. "He's definitely going to join us again in future, we've loved having him around," he said, via the BBC.

"He is revered, he's got an aura about him, he's very special. 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."

Flintoff is revered by England fans for his Ashes heroics in 2005 (Getty Images)

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And Mott implied he could also be involved in the England age-grade set-up. "He's keen to do the under-19s, pathway [and is] an incredible asset to have around," he said. "He's loved it - he's certainly got plenty of banter in in the last week or so and long may that continue."

Another 2005 Ashes hero now in the England set-up, Marcus Trescothick, has already praised the impact of his former team-mate, saying: “To have him sprinkling a bit of gold-dust around the team and having the younger players working with that has been invaluable really. You can’t put a price on it.

“You can see the difference and I’ve seen the progression of him as a character, the way he talks and delivers messages to players has been superb. I think he was a little bit nervous coming into the environment. He doesn’t know many of the people so from where he was at Cardiff to where he is now, he’s grown massively."

Fraser Watson