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Ex-England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has spoken publicly for the first time about the life-threatening incident he experienced. The former Lancashire cricketer feels he is lucky to be alive after all that happened.
The 79-Test veteran sustained severe facial injuries due to an accident while filming Top Gear in December 2022, leaving his face disfigured. The 46-year-old went into the avenue of TV presenting in 2019 and experienced a crash three years later.
Speaking as part of the second series of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams, the retired cricketer said he is keen to be in India for the second part of the series. As quoted by BBC Sport, he claimed:
"I genuinely should not be here with what happened. It's going to be a long road back and I've only just started. I'm going to need help. I really am. I'm not the best at asking for it. I'm looking forward to seeing the lads. I really am. This India trip is going to be for me as much as them now. I'm determined. I really want to go."
The first series of The Field of Dreams in 2022 came in as the Englishman returned to his hometown of Preston. He brings together a group of teenagers who had never played cricket before.
"I thought I could just shake it off" - Andrew Flintoff
The 79-Test veteran reflected that he hasn't been able to get past the incident like he thought he would. Citing anxiety problems and the presence of nightmares, he elaborated:
"I thought I could just shake it off. I wanted to shake it off and say 'everything's all right', but it's not been the case. It's been a lot harder than I thought. As much as I wanted to go out and do things, I've just not been able to. I struggle with anxiety. I have nightmares, I have flashbacks. It's been so hard to cope with."
Flintoff has returned to cricket as a coach and was part of England's backroom staff during T20 World Cup 2024. He is now the coach of the Northern Superchargers Men's team in The Hundred 2024.
