Andrew Flintoff has stepped down as head coach of England Lions after almost two years to deal with his new function at Australia’s Sydney Thunder franchise within the Massive Bash League.
Flintoff, who additionally plans to spend extra time on his TV profession and together with his household, was not within the working to exchange Brendon McCullum as England’s Take a look at coach, and confronted a possible conflict between his Thunder and Lions work.
The 47-year-old, one in every of England’s biggest and hottest cricketers of all-time, took cost of his nation’s second string group in September 2024 and beforehand credited the function with ‘saving’ him after his near-fatal High Gear crash.
Flintoff was hailed for creating a powerful setting and serving to to develop a number of gifted younger gamers, but he’s leaving the job with quick impact.
He stated: ‘Sadly I’ve made the choice to step away from my function with the Lions.
‘Not solely have I loved my time having the chance to work with the perfect younger cricketers within the nation, however have taken nice delight in seeing them develop.
Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has stepped away from his function as England Lions head coach
Flintoff (pictured with former Take a look at head coach Brendon McCullum) was praised for his work
‘I’d wish to thank the coaches and workers for all their ardour, tireless work and assist they offer on a regular basis.
‘Particularly, Ed Barney who I’ve cherished working with and was so fortunate to have as a efficiency director, and clearly Rob (Key) for trusting me with one of the vital roles in English cricket.
‘I can’t wait to get began with the Thunder later within the yr and see the place teaching takes me.’
Flintoff’s time with the Lions was the newest step on his teaching journey following his return to the sport after his life-changing crash whereas filming High Gear in December 2022.
Flintoff was airlifted to hospital after the incident having suffered critical facial and rib accidents earlier than he confronted a prolonged interval recovering, the place he initially refused to go away his home aside from medical appointments.
Flintoff beforehand had little involvement in cricket following his retirement in 2010, focusing as a substitute on a massively profitable TV profession.
He joined the England Lions having additionally coached Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. Flintoff equally hung out round England’s senior group.
Talking in 2025 on a Disney+ documentary about his profession and restoration from the automobile crash, Flintoff opened up on how vital his return to the game had been.
‘This sounds terrible: a part of me thinks I ought to have been killed,’ he stated. ‘A part of me thinks I want I had died. I didn’t wish to kill myself, I received’t mistake the 2 issues.
‘I wasn’t wishing, I used to be considering: that may have been a lot simpler. Now I attempt to take the angle, you understand what, the solar will come up tomorrow, and my children will nonetheless give me a hug. I really feel in a greater place now.
‘If one factor’s come out of it which is optimistic it’s being again in cricket. It’s most likely the one factor that saved me.
‘I’ve been welcomed again into that fold. It’s such a very good place. I really feel it’s secure. I’ve moments once I’m sat in a dressing room and I’m watching a sport of cricket surrounded by cricketers and mates, and I’m capable of neglect.’
Flintoff (pictured in 2018) was concerned in a near-fatal automobile crash whereas filming High Gear
Within the press launch saying his exit from the Lions, the ECB’s efficiency director Ed Barney added: ‘Fred has helped to rework the Lions setting right into a programme that has had a significant affect on younger gamers.
‘By creating an setting that each helps and pushes excellence always he has helped convey ahead a brand new era of younger gamers.
‘Coaches have additionally flourished alongside him, whether or not early of their teaching journey or with a long time of expertise, and he has persistently maximised the experience across the group.
‘We want him the perfect within the subsequent stage of his teaching profession and look ahead to a time he returns to the English sport.’
The previous England and Sussex all-rounder Mike Yardy will step in to take cost of subsequent week’s four-day match at Beckenham between Pakistan and a Skilled County Membership Choose XI.
