England Lions head coach Andrew Flintoff has called up his son Rocky for the England Lions’ tour of Australia in January 2025. England Lions announced their squad on Wednesday, 18 December, where the 16-year-old received his call-up.
Rocky, who signed his first professional contract with Lancashire in June, got a late call-up to the Lions squad earlier this month in South Africa – the first tour of Andrew after being named the team’s head coach in September. The Lions squad also includes five players from the senior team – Shoaib Bashir, Pat Brown, Tom Hartley, Josh Tongue, and John Turner.
England will travel to Australia on Jan. 3 for two four-day matches against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane, followed by a first-class test against Australia A in Sydney.
Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was named as the head coach of the England Lions men’s team. Flintoff, who has been in and around the national side as a coaching staff member, will now oversee the development of the young and upcoming stars pushing for the national team. England Lions is the country’s A side where cricketers travel worldwide to participate in A tours.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced their decision on September 7 via an official statement. The all-rounder will step into the role this October, succeeding in his mission to develop and mentor the next generation of English cricket talent.
Who is Rocky Flintoff?
Rocky Flintoff, born on April 7, 2008, is the son of the renowned English cricketer and television personality Andrew Flintoff.
Rocky began his cricketing journey at Alderley Edge Cricket Club in Cheshire and later played for St Annes Cricket Club in 2020. His talent and dedication quickly earned him a place in the Lancashire County Cricket Club, where he made his debut for the second XI in April 2024, just two days after his 16th birthday. This debut was marked by an unbeaten half-century against Durham’s second XI, and he soon followed this up with his first century for Lancashire’s second XI against Warwickshire, scoring 116 from 165 balls. This feat made him the youngest player to score a century for Lancashire, surpassing the record previously held by his father, Andrew Flintoff.
Rocky’s junior career in internationals has also been impressive. In June 2024, he was called up to the England Under-19 cricket team and quickly made his mark. He scored a match-winning 106 in a warm-up match against a Young Lions Invitational XI and later scored a century in the second four-day match against Sri Lanka, becoming the youngest player to achieve this feat for England U19s at just 16 years and 102 days old.
In addition to his second XI and international successes, Rocky made his List A debut for Lancashire in the One-Day Cup against Kent in July 2024, becoming the youngest-ever player for the team at 16 years and 113 days. He also made his first-class debut in the County Championship for Lancashire against Surrey in August 2024, the youngest player to do so for the county.
Rocky’s family life is also noteworthy. He is one of four children to Andrew Flintoff and his wife Rachael Wools Flintoff, along with siblings Holly, Corey, and Preston. His brother Corey also plays cricket for the Lancashire academy, indicating a strong cricketing legacy within the family.
In June 2024, Rocky signed his first professional contract with Lancashire, a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. His performances have garnered widespread attention, and he is widely regarded as one of the most promising young cricketers in England. With his early achievements and the support of his cricketing family, Rocky Flintoff is poised to make a lasting impact in the world of cricket.
England men’s Lions squad for the tour of Australia:
Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Pat Brown, James Coles, Sam Cook, Alex Davies, Rocky Flintoff, Tom Hartley, Tom Lawes, Freddie McCann, Ben McKinney, James Rew, Hamza Shaikh, Mitch Stanley, Josh Tongue, John Turner.
