Freddie Flintoff wore face coverings seven months after high-speed Top Gear horror crash

Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff was keeping his face covered as recently as six weeks ago, one of his former teammates has revealed.

Flintoff, 45, was spotted for the first time last week since his horrific Top Gear crash which left him with broken ribs and severe facial injuries.

The former cricketer surprised fans on Friday (8 September) as he watched the men’s cricket team’s opening one-day international against New Zealand at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens.

Flintoff had visible scars on his face, which were quite clear around his mouth and nose where he also seemed to be wearing tape.

On the outfield, he wore a bucket hat and dark glasses, covering part of his face.

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Close friend and former cricketer Steve Harmison has revealed that Flintoff's appearance at the cricket last week was the first time he had appeared in public without his injuries being masked.

Speaking on talkSPORT on Monday (11 September ), Harmison explained how the former teammates reunited at a junior match, where their two sons faced each other.

On the radio, Harmison said it was 'great to see' his former teammate back, before adding: "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.

"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!"

Flintoff is currently lending an hand to the England staff for their current ODIs against New Zealand, with Harmison saying he's in 'great form'.

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"This England team are a good bunch and not only are they great cricketers, but they're great ambassadors," he 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."

Flintoff's horrific crash came during filming of Top Gear at the show's Dunsfold Park track in Surrey.

A BBC spokesperson at the time told LADbible: "Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning - with crew medics attending the scene immediately.

"He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course."

The future of Flintoff on Top Gear remains unclear.