Freddie Flintoff lands major new role after England cricket legend survived horror crash in Top Gear filming
ANDREW FLINTOFF will be an assistant coach for England’s five Twenty20 games in the Caribbean.
It is the latest move in Flintoff’s increasing involvement with cricket as he returns to public life after a near-fatal car accident.
The former England captain is not with the squad for the three one-day internationals against the West Indies but will fly out for this month’s T20 games.
England head coach Matthew Mott initially did not think Flintoff would be able to join the tour because of other commitments — but a window has opened.
The T20 series has more significance than the 50-over matches because England return to the Caribbean and USA in June to defend the T20 World Cup.
If England perform as poorly in that event as they did in the recent one-day World Cup in India, Mott will probably lose his job.
A few months ago, Flintoff started discreetly watching occasional days of Ashes action.
Now he is a regular member of England’s backroom team.
He has also been appointed head coach of Northern Superchargers in next summer’s Hundred competition.
Freddie, who turned 46 on Wednesday, revealed how cricket helped his recovery.
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He added: “My time with the England men’s team has been a reminder of just how special cricket is to me.”
Flintoff sustained serious facial injuries last December when a car he was driving flipped over during a stunt for Top Gear.
He agreed a compensation deal with the BBC worth a reported £9million.