The sight of Andrew Flintoff mingling with county cricketers, dispensing words of advice at a pre-season net session, highlighted the increasing influence of one of the sport’s most recognisable figures in the early throes of this Ashes year.
Although it must be said that his appearance in social media snaps last Wednesday came with an ulterior motive — his eldest son Corey, 19, is expected to earn a rookie contract at Kent following a trial period — it was an indication of how embedded he has become in the English game since re-emerging after his horror Top Gear crash two years ago that left him with serious facial injuries.
Officially, Flintoff senior was in Canterbury as the guest of Adam Hollioake, who has made a habit of inviting mentors since arriving as the club’s head coach in a bid to offer contrasting voices to his own — Keith Medlycott, who oversaw a period of seven trophies at Surrey, and club stalwart Darren Stevens are among previous visitors.
The friendship between Flintoff and Hollioake stretches back to the 1990s. Hollioake was in the England team when Flintoff made his one-day international debut in 1999. Recently, Hollioake formed part of Flintoff’s coaching team on England Lions’ tour of Australia.
Such relationships have been integral to Flintoff’s path back to elite sport. Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, initially viewed the incognito presence of one of his closest friends around the 2023 Test series against Australia as a form of rehabilitation.
But Key soon reckoned these drop-ins were mutually beneficial, to the point where he was promoted to assistant coach on England tours within months and even considered for the white-ball job when Matthew Mott was sacked last year.
Andrew Flintoff has become increasingly influential in terms of finding talent for England
Flintoff has become embedded in the English game since re-emerging after his horror crash
Flintoff advises England head coach Brendon McCullum (R) and national selector Luke Wright on which players could make the step up
Now, beyond being around as a parental guide as Corey follows younger sibling Rocky into the professional ranks, Flintoff is shaping dozens of careers with his observations of the country’s talent.
Everyone loves Freddie. Seasoned county performers were brought up on his exploits during the 2005 Ashes. Those too young to have experienced it first hand, know all about the legend. They hang on his every word, but how discerning is his eye when it comes to picking players? That is the question.
For it now falls upon him to advise Key, England coach Brendon McCullum and national selector Luke Wright on who from county cricket might be ready for international cricket.
Indeed, it was primarily down to Flintoff’s feedback that Sonny Baker, the 22-year-old fast bowler who has upped sticks to Hampshire from Somerset, was handed an England development deal. Baker, Flintoff said, created ‘theatre and magic’ on Australian pitches this past winter. So, regardless of his domestic returns this season, do not be surprised if he emerges as an Ashes contender.
Flintoff did not have a great record as a player in Australia, finishing on the losing side in each of his first 14 internationals. His best performance Down Under came away from the scrutiny and intensity of the Ashes: for the World XI in 2005.
The former England captain mixed discipline with aggression, finishing with match figures of seven for 107. It was an approach that aligned to comments this week by ex-Australia international Mick Lewis, now bowling coach at Yorkshire, on the best way for touring attacks to prosper in his homeland.
England intend to hit the Aussies with raw speed next winter, but Lewis warned against that, saying: ‘Pace is a weapon in Australia, yes, but it’s no good having pace if you can’t hold your length. In Australia, if you just go short, short, good length, short, you’ll get murdered.’
Equally, Darren Lehmann, the former Australia coach currently working in the county game at Northamptonshire, recently claimed that England had created a fantastic brand in Bazball, but not a winning one.
It was primarily down to Flintoff’s feedback that Sonny Baker was handed an England development deal
Rob Key has been impressed with the impact Flintoff has made within the England setup
Flintoff will have formulated thoughts on a style capable of success, from both playing experience and January’s tour that concluded with an innings defeat by Australia A, and will be able to implement them during the Ashes build-up, as the Lions will provide the only opposition — either in a single four-day contest, or two two-dayers — ahead of the first Test in Perth on November 21.
Before that, he will oversee a pair of first-class fixtures against India A in Canterbury and Northampton between May 30 and June 9 which will act as further examinations of those on the pathway towards full international honours.
There is also every chance he will be included on an England training and bonding camp proposed by captain Ben Stokes ahead of May’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe starting on May 22.
In what is shaping up as the most pivotal six months of the Bazball era for Key, Stokes and McCullum, in Fred they trust.
