Andrew Flintoff will remain in the England squad for the Ireland series but has no plans for his participation in the Ireland series. World Cup Photo: Getty Images/Ryan Pearce
Andrew Flintoff will remain in England's white-ball squad for the series against Ireland after players praised him for his «incredible» contribution following his return from a near-fatal car crash. .
Flintoff was initially brought in only to serve as England's assistant coach during the one-day international series against New Zealand, but with players keen to draw on the former all-rounder's experience, he continues in that role for the three one-day matches. prefabricated.
Its cooperation with England remains flexible, long-term plans have not yet been agreed upon. Both Flintoff and the England management are currently happy to continue this loose arrangement, but he is keen for greater involvement in the future.
England's players — both the more experienced team against New Zealand and the younger generation who will play against Ireland — welcomed his involvement. As he settles into life as part of the coaching staff, working under head white-ball coach Matthew Mott, Flintoff was part of the England squad photo on Friday at Trent Bridge. After a major car accident while filming Top Gear last December, he resumed playing professional cricket and has also worked with the England U-19 team.
England say there are currently no plans for Flintoff to be part of the official World Cup touring party. The ICC's limit on the size of touring groups — 30 people per country — makes it difficult to add personnel in the event of late notice. David Saker and Marcus Trescothick will travel to India as assistant coaches along with Mott. But the positive impression Flintoff has made for England, kicking goals in training and following his advice, means there appears to be a good chance he will be involved in some capacity again.
Flintoff has been around the England squad for the last few matches. Photo: Getty Images/Alex Davidson
Ben Duckett, England vice-president and Ireland captain, praised his influence on the team.
“Honestly, incredible. I didn’t expect to see him here and for someone who did what he did for the game to be so special to have someone like that around,” Duckett said. “I spoke to the England players and everything. It's incredible for the young guys here to see him throwing balls at you in the nets and talking to you about cricket.
“He's very honest and very open. I'd like to think that one of the bowlers talked to him specifically about bowling with a white ball.»
Saturday's ODI will be Duckett's first white-ball game on English soil. He has played 17 limited-overs international matches so far (11 T20Is and six ODIs), all overseas except for one T20I in Cardiff. He will be vice-captain at home, a sign of his growing stature within the team in recent months, despite being left out of the World Cup squad. Duckett's versatility and record in Test cricket means he, along with Jason Roy, has the best chance of winning an India call-up should any of the batsmen in the 15-man squad get injured.
“I've gotten used to being away from the white-ball team now,” Duckett said. “It’s so difficult to penetrate and you look at one of the best white-ball players England have ever batted, Jason Roy, who misses the ball. If he misses the ball, then I don't feel so bad. It just shows where English cricket is and it's fantastic at the moment, but what it looks like in six months' time could be completely different, it could be a very similar team.»
Duckett didn't say whether he had been offered a new multi-year central contract, but he welcomed their introduction, as Telegraph Sport reported this week. He has never previously had a contract with an England central team.
Ben Duckett has established himself in the England Test team but is yet to make his mark in white-ball cricket. Photo: Reuters/Paul Childs
“It gives you some security in a way,” he added. “I think it's great that they're offering these contracts. The safety of players wishing to continue playing for England is ideal. For me, the main thing is to go out and represent my country. In fact, this is not a contract, but a bonus.”
Duckett said he would like to sign a multi-year center contract if offered. “I would love to play for England, that’s the main thing. If that means I get to play more cricket for England, then definitely,” he said.
He has already given some thought to England's next Test tour, a five-match series in India in January. In 2016, at the age of 22, he fought against Ravichandran Ashwin. If he meets former Nottinghamshire teammate Ashwin again, he vowed he would act more positively.
“This group of players is very different to the one in 2016 and I'm definitely not I'm going to play with the same number of forwards. defense if I’m there,” Duckett added. «It's a chance to go and play a different kind of cricket, which I don't think anyone has done before, and it will be interesting.
«I'll be working on it over the next few months. , but the obvious one is Ashwin – he’ll get me out,” Duckett laughed. “He is one of the best bowlers of all time, especially for left-handers. I've been thinking about this for a while and trying to tweak some things.”
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