Flintoff to coach son on England second-string tour of Australia

Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff is to coach his son on next month's England Lions cricket tour of Australia.

Rocky Flintoff, 16, has been included in England's second-string side during a tour that will include two four-day matches against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane followed by a 'Test' against Australia A in Sydney.

Flintoff junior was a late inclusion in the Lions squad during their training camp in South Africa earlier this month.

An all-rounder, like his father, Rocky made his debut for Lancashire during the summer and has impressed for the England Young Lions.

Andrew Flintoff, a star of England's 2005 Ashers series win over Australia, returned to cricket last year after a horrific car crash while he filmed for the BBC's Top Gear television programme at the end of 2022.

He became involved with the England white-ball set-up and went on to coach the Northern Superchargers in the English domestic game's Hundred competition.

Having filmed the second BBC series 'Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams' series, where he introduces young people to the sport, the 47-year-old former England captain told Britain's PA news agency: "I always wanted to do something in cricket and I was never quite sure what it was.

"I have dabbled a little bit, I've done a bit of commentary, which I didn't particularly like and it's not really me. I have always had an ambition to coach but I'm not quite sure my route to doing that, or who I'd coach and let's be honest, who'd have me?"

England Men’s Lions Squad:

Sonny Baker (Hampshire)

Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)

Pat Brown (Derbyshire)

James Coles (Sussex)

Sam Cook (Essex)

Alex Davies (Warwickshire)

Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire)

Tom Hartley (Lancashire)

Tom Lawes (Surrey)

Freddie McCann (Nottinghamshire)

Ben McKinney (Durham)

James Rew (Somerset)

Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire)

Mitch Stanley (Lancashire)

Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)

John Turner (Hampshire)

The squad includes five players – Shoaib Bashir, Pat Brown, Tom Hartley, Josh Tongue and Pat Brown – who have all represented England at senior level.

Following strong domestic campaigns in the County Championship, Essex seamer Sam Cook, Warwickshire top-order batter Alex Davies and Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew bring valuable experience to the squad. Davies, 30, who took over the captaincy at Warwickshire last season, averaged over 50 in the Championship and amassed more than 1,000 runs, including four centuries.

A key figure in Essex’s bowling attack, Cook has been a regular in Lions squads in recent years. His consistent performances saw him take 43 Championship wickets in 2024 at an average of 17.30.

Rew, 20, continues to excel as a wicketkeeper-batter in Championship cricket. He recorded 45 dismissals in 2024 and averaged 36 with the bat, including two centuries.

Lancashire teenager Rocky Flintoff is a notable inclusion. The 16-year-old received a late call-up to the Lions squad earlier this month during the training camp in South Africa, where he featured in the four-day match against South Africa A. Flintoff impressed in domestic cricket last summer, making his professional debut for Lancashire and becoming a consistent performer for the England Young Lions over the past 12 months.

The squad will be coached by Andrew Flintoff, supported by Neil Killeen, Richard Dawson and Graeme Swann. Australian batting coach Trent Woodhill has also been brought in as a consultant for the tour.

England Men’s Performance Director, Ed Barney, said:

“We have rewarded players who have proven themselves at this level and those with significant potential. Matches and tours of Australia are always important and we relish the opportunity to test ourselves against quality opposition. This tour allows us to evaluate performances, refine preparation and continue working with some of the best emerging talent in the country.

“I’m also delighted to see Josh Tongue returning to competitive cricket. Josh has had a challenging time with injuries but is progressing well and will benefit from this tour as he steps up his preparation. We hope this marks the start of a prosperous and impactful return to cricket for him in 2025.

“Josh Hull continues his rehabilitation from injury and will travel with the squad as part of his development and return-to-bowling programme.”

The tour party departs on 3 January.

England Lions Tour Schedule:

Four-day match: Cricket Australia XI v England Lions, 14-17 January 2025, Shaw Park, Brisbane

Four-day match: Cricket Australia XI v England Lions, 22-25 January 2025, AB Field, Brisbane

Unofficial Four-day Test: Australia A v England Lions, 30 January – 2 February 2025, Cricket Central, Olympic Park, Sydney

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