Last December the family of Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff feared the worst when the former England cricketer was airlifted to hospital after a serious crash while filming an episode of the BBC’s Top Gear. After flipping his three-wheeled, wooden-framed racing car on a Surrey circuit, Flintoff survived but vanished from the public eye while he received extensive treatment.
On Friday his tentative return to public life continued at Lord’s cricket ground, after he spent the last week informally helping the England men’s team during their one-day international series against New Zealand. Taking part in warmups and bowling practice has given Flintoff, 45, a chance to be seen in public for the first time since his near-death crash last December. Wounds across his nose and chin remained clearly visible.
