English cricket legend and former skipper, Andrew Flintoff, made his first public appearance after suffering injuries from a car crash during a Top-Gear show. He joined the England support staff during their ongoing four-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Last December, it was reported that Flintoff had suffered massive injuries after being involved in a high-speed accident when he was filming on the test track for the BBC show, Top Gear. He has been the co-presenter for the show since 2019, Flintoff was airlifted to the hospital where he received further treatment for broken ribs as well as facial and jaw injuries.
Andrew Flintoff’s latest picture - there’s visible facial injuries sustained due to a car crash 9 months back.He joined England as an unpaid consultant for the remaining ODIs against New Zealand. (The Times). pic.twitter.com/bFjQlie850
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 9, 2023
In his first public appearance in nine months, Flintoff, wearing a bucket hat, had visible scars on his face and his nose was taped when he was spotted sitting next to Ben Stokes and Joe Root on the England dressing room balcony.
According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Flintoff is close friends with managing director Rob Key and attended several days of this year’s Ashes series as a spectator, although he shielded the extent of his injuries from the cameras.
READ MORE: Former England All-Rounder, 2005 Ashes Hero Rushed to Hospital After Accident - News18
It added that Flintoff arrived in Cardiff overnight and was involved in fielding drills during the side’s eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand. “He’s been starting to do some stuff in cricket. It’s just great for him to be around."
“He’s obviously an England legend and it’s just nice to have him around the group. He’s not been brought in with any specific role, just to be around and observe. A few of the lads can pick his brains a little bit and he’s settled in really well," captain Jos Buttler was quoted as saying after the match ended.
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Flintoff retired from international cricket in 2009 after playing 79 Tests, 141 ODIs and seven T20s for England, playing a huge role in Ashes triumphs at home in 2005 and 2009, apart from captaining the team from 2006 to 2007.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - IANS)