Ashes-winning great Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff has been named the new head coach of the England Lions.
Flintoff has been increasingly involved in the national set-up over the past year, working with both age-group and senior sides across formats, as well as taking his first head coach role with the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.
An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement said the former all-rounder, who will start his role next month, “emerged as the standout candidate from a pool of high-calibre applicants”.
The 46-year-old was an assistant coach during this summer’s T20 World Cup and is working with the Test side during the ongoing third Test against Sri Lanka as cover for regular batting coach Marcus Trescothick, who is in interim charge of the white-ball side.
Flintoff had been linked with the limited-overs job after Matthew Mott was sacked earlier this summer, but England announced earlier this week that Brendon McCullum will combine the role with his Test duties from the start of 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Flintoff into this key role,” Ed Barney, the ECB’s men’s performance director said. “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.”
Flintoff has been given the Lions job for an initial period of a year. The Lions’ schedule in that spell includes a tour of South Africa before Christmas, a red ball tour of Australia in January, and series against India A and Zimbabwe during next year’s home summer.
“I’m incredibly excited to take on this role with the England Lions,” Flintoff 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 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.”
