Andrew Flintoff agrees to take over as England Lions head coach

Andrew Flintoff is taking his latest step into the coaching world after being placed in charge of England Lions.

The former captain has returned to cricket over the past year, serving as assistant coach at this summer’s T20 World Cup and leading Northern Superchargers in the most recent edition of the Hundred.

He is with the Test side at the Kia Oval for this week’s match against Sri Lanka, standing in for batting coach Marcus Trescothick, and has now agreed to take on the Lions for the next four series.

The development side functions as a proving ground for emerging talent and a bridge to the senior international squad, with Flintoff signing up for winter tours of South Africa and Australia as well as summer fixtures against India A and Zimbabwe.

“I’m incredibly excited to take on this role with the England Lions,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best up-and-coming talent in the country and to help shape the future of the men’s game. The Lions programme has always been a vital stepping stone for players pushing for international success, and I’m honoured to be part of that journey.

“The future of the game in England is in excellent health. There is a wealth of talent emerging, and I’m looking forward to helping these players reach their full potential. It’s an exciting time for English cricket, and I’m passionate about inspiring the next generation to take the sport forward. We’ve got a strong foundation, and I believe we can create something truly special.”

Flintoff, who recently fronted a well-received second series of Field of Dreams on BBC, has been tipped as a future England head coach by director of cricket Rob Key.

Ed Barney, men’s performance director at the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Flintoff into this key role. Andrew stood out thanks to his inspirational leadership, coaching expertise, and deep understanding of the game.

“With Andrew’s guidance, the highest potential players will continue to develop, thrive and take their game to new levels. I’m confident his influence will resonate across English cricket, helping drive the game forward.”

Published: 07/09/2024 by Radio NewsHub