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England star lifts lid on Flintoff impact on cricket return after Top Gear crash

06 June 2024 , 07:14
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Freddie Flintoff is coaching England at the T20 World Cup (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Freddie Flintoff is coaching England at the T20 World Cup (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Mark Wood has hailed the "fantastic" impact Freddie Flintoff has had on England's T20 World Cup squad.

Flintoff has been working with England's white-ball sides as a coach since September, having returned to cricket after a horrific crash while filming Top Gear in December 2022 left him with severe facial injuries and broken ribs.

England's managing director Rob Key is close friends with Flintoff and has facilitated his return to the sport, with the 46-year-old also set to take up his first head coach role this summer with the Northern Superchargers men's team in The Hundred.

However, Flintoff is currently in the Caribbean for England's T20 World Cup defence and fast bowler Wood is among those benefitting from his knowledge and experience. "I think he's fantastic," Wood said when asked about working with Flintoff.

"He's got a real aura, the way he speaks. He comes up to people individually, pulls them aside and keeps things very simple: he told me he had three balls – a bouncer, a fast yorker and a hard length. He's great to have around the group, and easy to talk to."

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West Indies icon Kieron Pollard is also with the group as a specialist consultant, with England keen to get the benefit of local knowledge after admitting they made a mistake by not bringing in a local coach for their disastrous 50-over World Cup campaign last year.

"I think he's still feeling his way into the group," Wood added of Pollard. "But the little bits he has spoken about, everyone's listened. He carries an aura and is very respected in the group because he's done so much and I think knowing the conditions is going to be vital going forward.

England star lifts lid on Flintoff impact on cricket return after Top Gear crashFlintoff has been joined West Indies legend Kieron Pollard for the World Cup (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

"He had mentioned about the pitch yesterday about bowling cutters and the fact that, if you just sort of dib it there, it doesn't react. You need to drive it in. It's just little things. It might seem so obvious but those little things people say - the one-percenters - can make a big difference."

England's opening game against Scotland was ruined by rain and Jos Buttler's side are desperate to pick up their first win of the tournament when they face Ashes rivals Australia in Barbados on Saturday.

Australia kicked off their campaign with a 39-run win over Oman, with the retiring David Warner and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis both scoring half-centuries. Stoinis also starred with the ball as he picked up 3-19, with Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa also chipping in with wickets.

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Matthew Cooper

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