A sceptical group of lads in Preston are Googling Freddie Flintoff, who has just turned up in their town with a film crew.
“Former international cricketer? Never heard of him.” Though they do think his wife is “stunning”.
Would they play cricket? “Nah. It’s slow and boring. Football is more fun.” They’ve got a point.
Freddie Flintoff ’s Field of Dreams, which started on BBC1 on Tuesday, takes the issue of elitist cricket, with its posh pavilions and privately educated players, and tries to smash the notion out of the park.
Which is tricky, because cricket absolutely is elitist, and these working-class teens have never picked up a cricket bat and certainly wouldn’t be seen dead in a cable-knit V-neck white sweater.
“You’ve got to be lucky or privileged to play,” says Freddie, who broke the mould as a state school-educated, working-class kid who became a world-renowned cricket player. He wants to create a cricket team with kids who have never had the opportunity to play.
“If you build it, they will come,” says a mate who had success with a similar club for boxing.
But cricket isn’t boxing and Freddie is no Kevin Costner. He perseveres though, morphing easily into the role of cool teacher or Big Brother mentor.
“Oi, language!” he yells at them, while using gentle sarcasm and patience to find out who these kids are and how he can get them to love cricket like he does.
He doesn’t care that one pulls a beanie hat over his helmet and keeps his headphones in. He doesn’t care that one is eating a packet of crisps on the pitch.
Sean, 15, has been kicked out of several schools and drinks vodka in the park. “I’m not a bad kid, I just sometimes make the wrong decision,” he says.
Ethan, 15, has been bullied, while Ammar, 17, arrived in the UK from Pakistan six years ago.
Freddie manages to convince several kids to join a team that he will train up over six months.
“I can’t promise we’ll always win, but we’ll surprise a few and we’ll beat a few posh kids,” he says.
They lost their first match against some old-timers, but it was a good effort.
Hemi, 17, was so nervous he ate 10 bananas in preparation. Sean was caught smiling. Ethan found camaraderie with a new bunch of mates.
Cricket may be posh, but sport – whatever sport – is unifying, and you’ll be rooting for Freddie and these unlikely lads to bowl everyone over.
