England legend Freddie Flintoff says he feels “lucky” to be coaching in the Hundred following his serious car accident in 2022.
The cricket icon was injured while filming an episode of Top Gear, leaving his face severely scarred.
After taking some time away from the spotlight, the 46-year-old returned to his beloved sport, first with England and now as head coach of Northern Superchargers.
Flintoff played 79 Test matches for England between 1998 and 2009 before transitioning into TV, presenting Top Gear and featuring as a regular panelist on A League of their Own.
Speaking in an interview with the Hundred, he said: “Cricket has given me so much.
“It’s all I ever wanted to do as a kid and I got the opportunity to live my dream.
It’s official 🏏 Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams On Tour is coming this summer to @BBCIPLAYER and @BBCONE
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— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) July 30, 2024
“And then it led to a lot of things away from the field. Working in TV all those years was essentially because I played cricket, and it’s nice to come back into that.
“I am a little bit nervous but I think it’s natural to be because it means you care, doesn’t it?
“I feel really lucky to be back here and I want the lads to cherish playing. When you finish playing, you look back and it passes so quickly, but you just take time when you’re out there, just to have a look around and take it in and live in the moment.
“And that’s what I’m doing these days. It’s living in the moment and enjoying it. And that’s something I want the players to do, and the teams that play under me to do as well.”
His new role is his first head coach role in professional cricket and he is expected to remain on the sporting side of things for the foreseeable future before returning to TV.
