10 September 2023 , 12:53
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Andrew Flintoff has been "In really fine form" and was even outperforming England's full-time bowling coach during his unexpected return to cricket, according to Stuart Broad.
England icon Flintoff, 45, has returned to the game after sustaining serious injuries in a horror crash while filming for Top Gear in December last year.
The popular former all-rounder had been driving an open-topped three-wheel Morgan Super 3 at 130mph at the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey while undertaking a challenge for the series, which he joined as a presenter in 2019.
The crash is said to have left Flintoff seriously shaken, and he has been recovering away from the public eye before being spotted at the One Day International against New Zealand in Cardiff on Friday, with scars visible on his face and his nose covered with tape.
With no plans to return to Top Gear, Flintoff has been indulging in his first love, and after conversations with his good friend and England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Rob Key, he has returned to work with England's senior and junior teams.
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Bowling legend Broad, who played with Flintoff for England during a career which spanned 167 Test matches before his retirement after this year's Ashes, provided an update on his former team-mate's condition ahead of the rain-affected second One Day International with New Zealand in Southampton on Sunday.
Flintoff has been working with the England side ahead of the World Cup (PA)When asked by Sky Sports presenter Ian Ward how Flintoff was, Broad said: "Yeah great. I saw him in Cardiff and had 10 minutes with him and he was in really fine form.
"He's been doing some work with the England under-19s which he really enjoyed, and he just arrived in Cardiff to settle into this group for this series.
"I think, ultimately, when you look at the players who are in this white ball side, Freddie Flintoff would have inspired them back in 2005 and before. He's an icon of English cricket, he's a legend of the game. So just to be able to spend some time around him, to pick his brain, and feel the aura that he has within the group.
Flintoff has been passing on advice to players like Jonny Bairstow (PA)"And for him to pull on a training shirt, to pull on those Three Lions again is really special, and I actually saw him mitting to Mark Wood (catching a fast delivery with a baseball glove) and I can't imagine he's done loads of mitting, but he was good, he was really good!
"I don't know why I said that surprisingly because he's a legend of English cricket so he's obviously got decent hand-eye co-ordination, but he was good. Certainly better than (fast bowling coach) David Saker whose job it is to catch it."
England One Day captain Jos Buttler says the squad have enjoyed having Flintoff around the group, with players looking to learn from his experience ahead of next month's World Cup in India.
“So he’s been starting to do some stuff in cricket," he said. "It’s just great for him to be around, he’s obviously an England legend and it’s just nice to have him around the group.
Flintoff's injuries are still visible (PA)"He’s not been brought in with any specific role, just to be around and observe. A few of the lads can pick his brains a little bit and he’s settled in really well. It’s great to have him with us. Just for this series."
All-rounder Liam Livingstone added: “It’s incredible to have him. He’s obviously been one of my heroes growing up. To have someone of his experience lingering around the dressing room is great for all the lads.
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The star was seen signing autographs for fans (Graham Hunt/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)“When you see someone like Fred around, it’s always good to chat. Especially while you’re batting: there’s three and a half hours to pick the brains of someone who’s been there and done it.
“He’s probably a national hero, everybody loves that Fred’s joining us and I’m sure he’ll enjoy it as much himself. Over the next week or so, I’m sure he’ll have plenty of laughs inside there.”