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[VIDEOS] Andrew Flintoff: retirement and post-retirement

He's only doing this for the possible large sums of money in T20 but because he's been out of the game for so long and older, he's going to struggle big time.
 
Superb documentary tonight on Flintoff and his eating disorder - should be on YouTube soon too for those not in the uk.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has opened up about his ongoing battle with bulimia in a documentary.<br><br>Watch now on <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCOne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCOne</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCiPlayer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCiPlayer</a> 👉 <a href="https://t.co/3EWdocI89J">https://t.co/3EWdocI89J</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbccricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bbccricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/9hmHXIJ9UZ">pic.twitter.com/9hmHXIJ9UZ</a></p>— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1310670616937127936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When a new face turned up to cricket training, <a href="https://twitter.com/flintoff11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@flintoff11</a> soon knew he had a secret weapon on his hands.<br><br>He popped round to see Adnan's foster parents, but wasn't ready for what he heard.<br><br>Adnan's story is a remarkable one. Watch Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams at 8pm. <a href="https://t.co/ftN3EfsoaS">pic.twitter.com/ftN3EfsoaS</a></p>— Test Match Special (@bbctms) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbctms/status/1546781417362755584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
MenInG said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When a new face turned up to cricket training, <a href="https://twitter.com/flintoff11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@flintoff11</a> soon knew he had a secret weapon on his hands.<br><br>He popped round to see Adnan's foster parents, but wasn't ready for what he heard.<br><br>Adnan's story is a remarkable one. Watch Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams at 8pm. <a href="https://t.co/ftN3EfsoaS">pic.twitter.com/ftN3EfsoaS</a></p>— Test Match Special (@bbctms) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbctms/status/1546781417362755584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Seen an episode of this new series, Flintoff trying to encourage young kids into cricket, pretty decent
 
Trying to undo the damage ECB toffs did when they first took the game off free to air tv, during the crucial post '05 series boom when they COULD have been growing the game off the back of marketable guys like KP & Freddie.

Then when British govts selling off local public playing fields, forcing the game deeper & deeper into private school only (who have their own fields).

Good idea but it won't be able to do much up against the sheer scale of those other factors affecting hundreds of thouands/millions of lost fans/players.
 
I am concerned about Freddie's health. He looks so weak due to the eating disorder he has. Always thought him as a proper "Jack the lad" kinda guy during his playing days but now see he is much better then that.
 
Top Gear presenter Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff has been hurt in an accident while filming for the BBC show.

He received medical care at the scene before being taken to hospital for further treatment.

The incident happened at Top Gear's test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.

His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening and a BBC spokesperson said details would be confirmed "in due course".

It is understood that the accident did not happen at high speed.

A BBC spokesperson said: "Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning - with crew medics attending the scene immediately.

"He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course."

It is not the first accident Flintoff has suffered since he first began presenting the show.

The former England cricketer, who is a father of four, crashed into a market stall in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in February 2019.

In September of the same year, he crashed during a drag race while he was filming at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, but walked away unharmed.

Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was involved in a serious crash at the same airfield in 2006, leaving him in a coma.

Flintoff joined Top Gear as a host in 2019 and co-stars in the show with Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.

He's better known to many as an international cricketer - he retired from the sport in 2009 having played 79 Tests, 141 one-day internationals and seven T20s for England.

He played a key role in England's Ashes successes of 2005 and 2009.

After initially retiring from all forms of the game in 2010, Flintoff had one professional bout as a boxer.

He's also been on the Australian version of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! - where he was crowned king of the jungle.

He took to acting - appearing in BBC drama Love, Lies and Records in 2017 - and singing, in Fat Friends The Musical.

Top Gear has been running under different presenters since 2002 and is one of the BBC's most successful and exported programmes.

BBC
 
I tried Top Gear after Clarkson etc left, but it’s just dull now. The writing quality has really dropped.
 
Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff's son says his father is "lucky to be alive" having been taken to hospital after he was injured in an accident while filming for Top Gear.

The 45-year-old former England cricketer turned TV presenter was involved in the accident on Tuesday morning while at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

His son Corey told the Daily Mail on Wednesday: "I'm not too sure what happened but he is lucky to be alive. It was a pretty nasty crash. It is shocking. We are all shocked but just hope he's going to be OK."

The BBC reported Flintoff's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening and it is understood the accident did not happen at high speed.

"Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this (Tuesday) morning - with crew medics attending the scene immediately," a BBC spokesperson said.

"He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course."

Speaking to Sky Sports News from Karachi ahead of England's third Test against Pakistan, Nasser Hussain said the England team are "a little bit concerned".

"We have been following it out here and trying to get in touch with Freddie's agent and people around Freddie. We woke up to the news this morning. The England team are in their team room, and they're a little bit concerned," Hussain, who played alongside Flintoff, said.

"We know probably as much as you and fingers crossed that Freddie is ok. He is a larger than life character. Hopefully good news will follow."

Flintoff enjoyed a hugely successful international cricket career, most memorably helping England to their first Ashes victory in 18 years in 2005, before helping his side regain the urn four years later.

He retired from Test cricket at the end of the 2009 Ashes series, and from other forms of the game in 2010, then had one professional boxing fight in November 2012 in Manchester, where he beat American Richard Dawson on a points decision.

The father-of-four has presented Top Gear since 2019 and said at the time: "It's not often you have the chance to do both of your dream jobs, but I'm now lucky enough to say I will have.

"I've always been passionate about cars and I'm so excited to be joining the Top Gear team."

The accident is not the first faced by Flintoff since he began working on the show.

In February 2019, the presenter was involved in a minor incident when he crashed into a market stall in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

In September of the same year, he crashed again while driving a three-wheel vehicle at a reported speed of 124mph during filming for Top Gear at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, but walked away from the incident unharmed.

SKY
 
Andrew Flintoff is "recovering" from an accident while filming for Top Gear, according to his friend and fellow broadcaster Piers Morgan.

The 45-year-old former England cricketer turned TV presenter was involved in the accident on Tuesday morning while at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

Morgan, a friend of Flintoff's, said he had made contact with the family and offered an optimistic outlook.

"I'm told it was a pretty serious crash and that Freddie's going to be okay, but it might be a little bit more serious than first appreciated," Morgan told talkSPORT.

"I'm told he's going to be OK which is great news, but I'm also told it was a pretty nasty bang and that he's had surgery and is recovering now and we'll have to wait and see.

"I've been in contact with them privately, but I just want to wish him and his family, Rachel his wife, all the very best and I think we're all just keeping our fingers crossed that the big man comes through alright."

SKY
 
DM: Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff broke his rib and suffered facial injuries in a 'nasty' crash as his son said that the Top Gear host is 'lucky to be alive' after he was airlifted to hospital.

A relative of Freddie Flintoff said today that the star had suffered a cut face and a broken rib in the high-speed crash.

They said: 'I know he has a badly cut face and a broken rib. It’s a worry but he is OK.'

Corey Flintoff, 16, said his family have been left 'shocked' after the England cricket legend, 45, was taken to hospital.

He was behind the wheel shooting an episode for the BBC series at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey when the accident happened.

Temperatures had plunged to 0C at the test track where he was reviewing a car at the time.
 
Freddie has had a tough time since retiring. Not only a likable lad Freddie was also a top class player. I was genuinely sad to see him retire at such a young age. He had a good chance of being the best England all rounder ever if he had continued playing.
 
James said:
DM: Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff broke his rib and suffered facial injuries in a 'nasty' crash as his son said that the Top Gear host is 'lucky to be alive' after he was airlifted to hospital.

A relative of Freddie Flintoff said today that the star had suffered a cut face and a broken rib in the high-speed crash.

They said: 'I know he has a badly cut face and a broken rib. It’s a worry but he is OK.'

Corey Flintoff, 16, said his family have been left 'shocked' after the England cricket legend, 45, was taken to hospital.

He was behind the wheel shooting an episode for the BBC series at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey when the accident happened.

Temperatures had plunged to 0C at the test track where he was reviewing a car at the time.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear.

Get well soon, Freddie.
 
Driving at such high speeds constantly is like inviting death. Hope he recovers soon.
 
The BBC is scrapping its latest Top Gear series after completing an investigation into the accident that injured presenter Andrew Flintoff.

BBC Studios apologised to the former cricketer following its probe into the incident in Surrey in December.

It said it would "continue to support" Flintoff with his recovery.

"Under the circumstances, we feel it would be inappropriate to resume making series 34 of Top Gear at this time," the statement added.

"We understand this will be disappointing for fans, but it is the right thing to do, and we'll make a judgment about how best to continue later this year.

"This has also impacted the production team, who we continue to support.

"Finally there will be a health and safety review of the show, in line with our procedures."

SKY
 
Top Gear co-host Chris Harris has said Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff is "healing" following his crash while filming for the show almost a year ago.

Former cricketer Flintoff was injured at Top Gear's test track last December.

The BBC has apologised to him, suspended the series and paid him compensation worth a reported £9m.

Harris told BBC Breakfast on Thursday: "I think he's healing. It was a serious incident. I'm not going to say any more than that."

The crash happened at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey, but few details have been made public.
 

Andrew Flintoff in England's backroom staff for T20 World Cup; gets projected as next head coach​


Andrew Flintoff has been added to England’s backroom staff for the upcoming T20 World Cup, and ECB managing director Rob Key viewed it as a portend to the former all-rounder’s potential candidacy to the team’s head coach role.

Flintoff will coach Northern Superchargers in the Hundred this season and will also be involved with the England team during its four-match T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the ICC showpiece.

“Without question, I think he would be an excellent head coach. He will be a worthy candidate going forward. When that time comes and whoever is in this job, and it might be outside of my time, they would be stupid not to look at him,” Key told Telegraph.

England’s Test side is managed by Brendon McCullum while Matthew Mott is its coach in white ball formats.

Key also drew parallel with current England captain Ben Stokes and said the Lancastrian can easily relate to players in the dressing room.

“Flintoff is a leader like (Ben) Stokes. Just having someone who knows what it is like to struggle and come out the other end is so relatable to those players. When they have had a bad day, he can explain it.

“He has high emotional intelligence so he understands when you need a bit of an arm around your shoulder or blunt honesty. Those are the skills that make a great leader,” said Key, a close friend of Flintoff.

The 46-year-old Flintoff had suffered serious facial injuries while shooting for ‘Top Gear’ in 2022 and Key was instrumental in bringing his former teammate back to mainstream cricket.

Key also said former England players like all-rounder Moeen Ali should be fast-tracked into coaching roles in future.

“Moeen Ali I think will be an excellent coach, there are so many people. They have these skills and we want to try to create experiences where they can really learn,” he added.

Hindustan Times
 
Its funny there is a sledging video involving him and Dwayne Bravo, where Flintoff taunts Bravo saying “Lets see if you’re around in a few years”

Turns out Bravo outlasted Flintoff.
 
T
SM1989 said:
Its funny there is a sledging video involving him and Dwayne Bravo, where Flintoff taunts Bravo saying “Lets see if you’re around in a few years”

Turns out Bravo outlasted Flintoff.
Click to expand...
That was Fidel Edwards not bravo.
 

Freddie Flintoff reveals extent of injuries after Top Gear crash​


Footage of Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff shortly after his Top Gear crash has been shown for the first time, revealing the extent of his injuries.

The TV presenter and former England cricket all-rounder sustained serious facial injuries and broken ribs after a crash while filming Top Gear at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, in December 2022.

The incident happened midway through the filming of the second season of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams, which aired yesterday on BBC One.

The programme showed footage Flintoff filmed of himself a week-and-a-half after the accident.

"Genuinely should not be here after what happened," he said in the clip.

"This is going to be a long road back and I have only just started and I am struggling already.

"Got to look at the positive side, I'm still here, I've got another chance. I've got a go at it... a second go."

Footage filmed seven months after the accident showed Flintoff contemplating whether he could travel to India as part of the series, which sees the retired cricketer coach a team of teenagers from troubled backgrounds.

Flintoff, 46, said he was struggling to leave his home due to anxiety, and that he was having nightmares and flashbacks in the aftermath of the accident.

"I thought I could just shake it off," he said.

"I wanted to shake it off and say 'here I am, I'm alright'. But it's not been a case of that, it's been a lot harder than I thought.

"As much as I wanted to go out and do things, I have just not been able to."

He added: "I don't want to sit here and feel sorry for myself. I don't want sympathy, but it's going from being in here for seven months really and then going to India for two and a half weeks."

The programme showed how Flintoff ultimately managed to make the trip to India, which was delayed by more than a year due to his crash.

The incident led to him stepping back from the Top Gear - which has since been suspended for the "foreseeable future" by the BBC.

Previously, the BBC said it had agreed a financial settlement with Flintoff, which was reported to be worth £9m, according to The Sun.

Flintoff returned to cricket as a part of the England coaching staff, and is currently in his first full-time coaching position with Northern Superchargers, in The Hundred.

news.sky.com

Freddie Flintoff reveals extent of injuries after Top Gear crash

The TV presenter and former England cricket all-rounder sustained serious facial injuries and broken ribs after a crash in 2022.
news.sky.com news.sky.com
 
A great gesture by freddie
====

Freddie Flintoff and his squad of young cricketers agreed to fast for a day as a gesture to their Muslim teammate who was taking part in Ramadan

During the latest episode of Flintoff’s Field Of Dreams documentary, Afghan refugee Adnan opened up about how difficult it is seeing his friends eat while he is unable to.

He admitted he was “thinking about food” when he joined the team for their breakfast.

“It’s hard when I sit here and all of you guys are eating,” Adnan added.

Flintoff then proposed that the team join him in fasting for a day, and they all obliged.

Source: The Independent
 
As per reports, Andrew Flintoff has left his coaching role with England after concerns grew over his relationship with white-ball captain Jos Buttler at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
 

Andrew Flintoff to Step in for Marcus Trescothick in England's Coaching Setup for 3rd Test vs Sri Lanka​

Flintoff will work with England's batters ahead of their third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval next week, with Marcus Trescothick taking a short break ahead of his stint as interim white-ball head coach for September's series against Australia at home.​


Flintoff has been involved in England's white-ball set-up for the past year, including at June's T20 World Cup, but will not be part of Trescothick's coaching staff for the three T20Is and five ODIs against Australia next month. He recently had his first experience as a head coach at the Hundred, his Northern Superchargers finishing fourth and narrowly missing out on qualification.
 
ECB Appoints Andrew Flintoff as England Men’s Lions Head Coach

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Flintoff as Head Coach of the England Men’s Lions programme for the upcoming year,

Flintoff emerged as the standout candidate from a pool of high-calibre applicants. He will take up the role in October, overseeing a schedule which includes a tour of South Africa before Christmas, a red ball tour of Australia in January, and a summer series against India A and Zimbabwe on home soil.

Over the past year, Flintoff, 46, has contributed to England’s national white-ball teams, working as an assistant coach during the T20 World Cup and West Indies tour. He has also held consultancy roles with the national squads and recently took charge as Head Coach of the Northern Superchargers Men’s team in The Hundred.

Ed Barney, ECB Men’s Performance Director, 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. His vision aligns very closely with the playing style and identity that has been fostered with England Men under Brendon McCullum and this appointment contributes to a truly exciting outlook for the future of English cricket.

“The England Lions programme is a cornerstone of our cricketing structure, playing a critical role in nurturing the next generation of talent. 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.”

Andrew Flintoff, commented:

“I’m incredibly excited to take on this role with the England Lions. 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. Whether these players are pushing for England selection or finding their feet in Lions cricket, I have no doubt that the Lions programme will offer a real point of difference in their development. 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.”

As part of his responsibilities, Flintoff will support performance planning, player development reviews with counties, team selection, and player appraisals.
 
Umar Mahmood: Teenager who appeared in Andrew Flintoff's Field of Dreams cricket documentary dies in car crash

A teenager who appeared in Andrew Flintoff's Field of Dreams series has died in a car crash.

Umar Mahmood, 18, died in hospital on Friday morning after the Audi A3 sport he was driving crashed in Chain Caul Way, Preston, on Tuesday evening, Lancashire Police said.

A 16-year-old passenger died as a result of his injuries on Thursday. A second passenger, 17, is in a stable condition in hospital, the force added.

Mr Mahmood appeared in the first series of the BBC programme fronted by Flintoff, aged 46.

His former school, Penwortham Priory Academy, confirmed his death with a statement.

"Umar was a bright, studious and well-loved member of our school community," it said.

"He had a passion for geography as well as his cricket, playing for Priory's school team and appearing in the BBC One documentary Freddie Flintoff's Field Of Dreams.

"It was a privilege for us here at Priory to know Umar. He was a young man who was always considerate to those around him and who showed ambition and kindness in all that he did."


www.skysports.com

Umar Mahmood: Teenager who appeared in Andrew Flintoff's Field of Dreams cricket documentary dies in car crash

Lancashire Police have confirmed Umar Mahmood, who appeared in Andrew Flintoffs Field of Dreams cricket documentary, has died in hospital aged 18 after a car crash in Preston earlier this week
www.skysports.com www.skysports.com
 
Flintoff earmarked as England white-ball coach if McCullum takes break

Andrew Flintoff has been earmarked as a potential caretaker coach of the England senior white-ball teams this year if Brendon McCullum requires a break before the Ashes.

The England Test coach took over the national limited-overs sides two months ago in a new dual role but, given the gruelling schedule, McCullum may be given the option to miss some series, particularly as his family remain based in New Zealand.

England have 21 white-ball games and six Tests before the first Ashes Test begins in Perth on 21 November, including a five-Test home series against India this summer. An extra six games in New Zealand in November have been added to England’s packed itinerary since McCullum was appointed, leading to a growing awareness at the England and Wales Cricket Board that his workload will have to be carefully managed.

Flintoff is seen as a possible stand‑in and could even be primed to replace McCullum in the white‑ball role when his contract expires after the 2027 World Cup. The former England captain has been given a one‑year contract as coach of England Lions, who are in Abu Dhabi on a training camp; the squad includes his 16-year-old son Rocky.

In a sign of the close alignment between England’s senior and development squads the Test captain, Ben Stokes, has also been Abu Dhabi as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury and the England men’s performance director, Rob Key, has attended the camp. Key is close to Flintoff and has played a crucial role in encouraging the former all-rounder’s burgeoning coaching career, and return to the public eye, after he sustained serious injuries in a car crash while filming for Top Gear in December 2022.

Flintoff’s return to cricket after several years focusing on his successful TV career came as an unpaid consultant during England’s 50-over series against New Zealand and Ireland in the buildup to the 2023 World Cup. The 47-year-old was not involved during England’s disappointing World Cup defence in India, but was added to the backroom staff in a paid role for the five-match T20 trip to the West Indies the following December.

Flintoff was an assistant coach at the T20 World Cup last year before joining the red-ball squad for England’s final Test of the summer against Sri Lanka at the Oval, where he presented a cap to the debutant left-arm seamer Josh Hull. After taking charge of the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred in his first role as a head coach, Flintoff was appointed England Lions coach in September, taking the development squad on tours of South Africa and Australia last winter.

England Lions have home series against Zimbabwe and India A this summer, but with Key adopting a fluid approach to the composition of coaching teams Flintoff’s expertise is likely to be called upon by the senior sides. Marcus Trescothick was appointed interim white-ball coach last year after the dismissal of Matthew Mott, but the former England opener is also assistant coach to McCullum with the Test team so may require a break at the same time.

McCullum has endured a difficult start to his new role as one-day head coach, with England winning just one of 11 matches across both formats this year and crashing out in the group stage at the Champions Trophy last month with three successive defeats.

While the 43-year-old will definitely lead the one-day side for six matches against West Indies in May and June the ECB acknowledge that he may need a break after the India Test series, as could some of his multi-format players such as Stokes, Joe Root and Harry Brook.

McCullum will get some time off when the Hundred is taking place during August, with a three‑match one‑day international series in Ireland in September the most obvious one for him to miss as he prepares for the Ashes.

Given the congested schedule the New Zealand white-ball games in November may even double up as Ashes preparation due to the short turnaround time, with just seven days separating the two tours.

SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...er-coach-brendon-mccullum-ashes-break-cricket
 
Flintoff 'thought he had died' in Top Gear crash

Andrew Flintoff has given his first account of the car crash he was in while filming Top Gear, saying he thought he "was dead" in the immediate aftermath.

The England cricketer-turned-TV presenter sustained serious facial and rib injuries when the three-wheeler car he was driving for the BBC motoring programme rolled over in 2022.

Speaking in a new Disney+ documentary, 'Freddie' Flintoff said that despite the trauma, he "remembers everything about it".

"I thought I was dead, because I was conscious but I couldn't see anything," he recalled.

'Frightened to death'

"I was thinking, is that it? Is that it? You know what I mean? Just black for the rest of my days?

"My hat came over my eyes - so I pulled my hat up and I thought, no I'm not [dead], I'm on the Top Gear track, this is not heaven."

Flintoff then looked down to see blood, and said his "biggest fear" was that he no longer had a face left.

"I thought my face had come off. I was frightened to death."

He recalled being in "agony" for between half an hour and 40 minutes until an air ambulance arrived and he was taken to hospital.

The incident took place on 13 December 2022 at Top Gear's test track at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.

He was driving an open-topped Morgan Super 3 when it flipped and slid, dragging him along the track during filming.

Speaking in the documentary, he described how time seemed to slow down as the car rolled over, and how his quick reactions as a cricketer allowed him to move his head in an attempt to avoid even worse injuries.

"As it started going over, I looked at the ground and I knew, if I get hit here on the side [of the head] then I'll break my neck, or if I get hit on the temple I'm dead. The best chance is to go face down.

"And then I remember hitting [the ground] and my head got hit," he added. "But then I got dragged out, and the car went over, and I went over the back of the car, and then [I got] pulled face down on the runway about 50m underneath the car. And then I hit the grass and then [it] flipped back."

Surgeon Jahrad Haq, who treated Flintoff, told the documentary the injuries were "very complex" - a mixture of hard and soft tissue injuries, broken teeth, lost teeth and elements of the upper jaw bone that were also fractured and displaced.

He "lost a really significant portion of his upper lip - the skin and some of the underlying muscle - and also his lower lip," he said.

Mr Haq said the injuries were in the "top five" in terms of severity of those he had seen during his career.

'Cricket saved him'

Reflecting on the recovery, Flintoff said he "didn't think I had it in me to get through" the ordeal.

"This sounds awful. Part of me wishes I'd been killed. Part of me thinks I wish I'd died," he added.

"I didn't want to kill myself. I don't want to mistake the two things. I was not wishing, but thinking, this would have been so much easier...

"Now I try to take the attitude, you know what, the sun will come up tomorrow, and then my kids will still give me a hug, and I'm probably in a better place now."

One of England's most successful cricketers, Flintoff previously said he is "loving" his return to the sport coaching England Lions - the development squad underneath England Men's cricket team.

Flintoff's wife Rachael told the documentary his return to the sport was crucial on the road to recovery.

"When Andrew needed it most, cricket was there for him," she said. "It sounds a bit weird saying it, a bit over the top to say, but I do think cricket saved him. It gave him a reason for being, again."

The 47-year-old also returned to television last year with a second series of his BBC programme Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams, which saw him take a team of young cricketers from his hometown of Preston on a tour of India, a year after his crash.

The acclaimed series is up for a Bafta Television Award in the factual series category next month.

He also hosted a reboot of darts game show Bullseye over Christmas, which will return for a full series later this year.

In 2023, the BBC "rested" Top Gear for the foreseeable future. A financial settlement was also reached with Flintoff.

BBC
 
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