Andrew Flintoff plan revealed after England cricket icon settled with the BBC over Top Gear crash
Andrew Flintoff is set to work in cricket again after England icon settled with the BBC over Top Gear crash
PA
Andrew Flintoff is set to return to cricket after settling with the BBC following his awful Top Gear crash last year.
The all-rounder, who is one of the best sporting figures ever produced by Britain, sustained serious facial injuries back in December.
Flintoff was fortunate to come away from the crash and spent months recovering at home, surrounded by his family.
Even some close friends were prevented from visiting the cricketer so they could give him the privacy he needed.
WATCH NOW: BBC condemned for Israel and Hamas coverage
Flintoff recently settled with the BBC, with the corporation confirming this by saying: "BBC Studios has reached an agreement with Freddie that we believe supports his continued rehabilitation, return to work and future plans.
"We have sincerely apologised to Freddie and will continue to support him with his recovery."
Now, according to The Telegraph, Flintoff is set to return to cricket and be part of England Lions' coaching team for next month's training camp in the United Arab Emirates.
It comes after Flintoff, who is close to England director Rob Key, recently joined up with the senior team for their one-day series against New Zealand and Ireland last month.
He wasn't paid for that role and, it seems, is eager to return to the sport where he made his name.
Flintoff showed off visible scares as he put the likes of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler through their paces.
Several members of the squad hailed the ex-international for his methods.
England Lions named a 21-man squad for their trip on Thursday and said the 'coaching and mentoring group' would be revealed in due course.
Flintoff is now primed to jet out to the Middle East.
He'll be working with some of the brightest young talents the country has, including Michael Atherton's son, Josh De Caires.
Full internationals such as Tom Hartley, Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher will make the trip.
Flintoff last month handed Hartley his first cap - and made an emotional speech in front of the rest of the squad.
"It gives me so much pleasure to share what's going to be a day Tom you'll remember for the rest of your life," he said.
"Your journey hasn't been like a lot of people's.
"There was no academies, no systems but to me [that] suggests a steeliness, a determination, a passion which might not be evident on the outside but it's definitely burning inside.
"When you get this cap it changes your life.
"It's one of those things, it's before and after it.
"They'll share the good times with you, the successes.
"But as I found over the past few months, they'll be there in the hardest times of your life, they will stand next to you.
"So like the lion on the cap Tom, be brave, be fearless, be proud and enjoy every minute.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
England cricket icon Andrew Flintoff showed off his facial injuries last month
PA
"It gives me great pleasure to present cap number 272 to Tom Hartley."
It is currently unclear if Flintoff will be part of the England coaching staff for their five-Test tour of India, which is due to commence in January.
Meanwhile, former England star Steve Harmsion recently revealed Flintoff was still covering his face just weeks before his return to the spotlight.
"It was great to see him back," he said.
"It’s been tough, you’ve seen the pictures of him with a smile on his face but I saw him about six weeks ago when my son Charlie and his son, Rocky played against each other and it was great to see him.
England cricket director Rob Key is close with Andrew Flintoff
PA
“Obviously I roomed with Andrew for the best part of 15 years and we’d gone through all our careers together and so to see our two sons playing each other, Northumberland against Lancashire, it was fantastic.
“I got to see him then but at that time he covered his face up when he walked around – believe it or not, he was training a guide dog which I’m sure is going better now than it was because he tripped over around three times on his way around the field.
“He was on great form, but to see him around the England group, the main team, was fantastic."
Harmsion then added: “Freddie was always brilliant in the dressing room, and so to have Andrew in the dressing room with them and feeling comfortable and letting him get his feet under the table because they’ll be in for a show.
“He’s a funny fan who is infectious, he has great cricket knowledge and a great cricket brain – unfortunately for cricket he was even better in entertainment, so he went off to make the big bucks on the TV and so to see him in the dressing room to give the young lads an education in cricket is brilliant.”