Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has ‘mellowed’ since his near-fatal accident suffered while filming for an episode of Top Gear, according to a friend.
Former England cricket captain Flintoff was left with serious injuries after a three-wheeled vehicle he was driving flipped over on an icy track.
However, since that horrific accident, he has continued his recovery and was recently spotted with the England cricket squad as they prepare for the 50-over ICC Cricket World Cup out in India, beginning this October.
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Having inspired England to victory on a number of occasions, there’s no doubt that Freddie’s input will be of use to the current crop of players as they set out to defend the title they won so dramatically in 2019.
In an interview with Daily Mail, one of the ex-Lancashire all-rounder’s former captains said that Flintoff has ‘mellowed’ since the accident and is now setting out to ‘rebuild bridges’ from his past.
The source said: "Freddie is complicated.
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“He is also self-conscious and can be sensitive.
“It would have taken a lot for him to come back out in public this week but there is no doubt he looked comfortable and relaxed again.
“And I think he’s mellowed.
“He has re-built bridges with a lot of the people he fell out with."
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Flintoff has had a somewhat fractious relationship with the English cricketing fraternity since his retirement, having moved away from the sport into TV since retiring.
That led him to A League of Their Own and eventually Top Gear, although there are doubts about whether he will ever return to the show since his accident.
It is still not known whether he might take legal action against broadcaster BBC following the incident.
Rob Key, previously a pundit for Sky Sports but now an important person within the England Cricket Board set-up, has eased Flintoff back into cricket and he’s since been helping out during England’s ongoing limited-overs series against New Zealand on home shores before the tournament commences.
A source close to the England team said: "He has so much to offer and it was a no-brainer to get him involved.
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“These players grew up watching him.
“He has had his ups and downs in the game but he relates to everyone and that’s important in coaching.
"Everyone has enjoyed having him around. He’s fantastic value.
“The players have been asking him about everything.
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“From running out Ricky Ponting at the Oval, to playing for England in the 90s, to recovering from injury and even playing in the IPL."
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Featured Image Credit: Visionhaus via Getty/BBCTopics: UK News, TV and Film, Sport, Cricket, Freddie Flintoff