Freddie Flintoff has once again won the hearts of viewers with the second season of Field of Dreams, this time helping his young Preston charges overcome the challenges of autism and anxiety during a life-changing cricket tour of India.
The England legend, who revealed during the series that his horror Top Gear crash left him struggling with anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks, has been widely praised for how he handled the group of aspiring cricketers from his hometown.
In the second season of Field of Dreams, Flintoff reunited his sons Preston for the trip of a lifetime to India.
Many of the young people admitted they had never left Preston or been on a plane before, but their lives would be transformed when they landed in one of India’s largest cities, Kolkata.
Flintoff and his team’s performances on and off the pitch brought spectators to tears, and many have made huge changes in their lives as a result of the lessons they learned on tour.
As the second season of Field of Dreams came to a close last week, one viewer summed it up perfectly by posting: “Rise up Sir Freddie.”
In the second season of Field of Dreams, England legend Freddie Flintoff (centre) took a group of underprivileged lads from Preston to India for a cricket tour. Pictured: 1. Finn, 2. Eli, 3. Hemi, 4. Josh, 5. Ben, 6. Adnan
1. Finnish
The 19-year-old bravely spoke about his battles with autism and anxiety during the third episode of season two.
When Flintoff and his boys are invited to a glitzy party hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Calcutta, most of the crew are delighted to go out and buy a suit from a prestigious Indian tailor.
But for Finn, this was totally out of his comfort zone. During the episode, he confesses to Flintoff that he feels judged for his background, but is later seen laughing and joking with his friends after another perfectly handled conversation with his mentor.
Despite being nervous about travelling to India because of his autism, he told The Sunday Times it was “the best time of my life”.
“Knowing the boys before and after, the change is noticeable,” he added. “We are totally different people. I think the show downplayed the effect it had on us.”
Nearly six months after returning from India, Finn is now waiting to hear whether his application to join the army has been accepted.
Finn (pictured), who speaks openly about his struggles with autism and anxiety, applied to join the military.
2. Eli
Eli, also 19, was drafted into Flintoff’s tour of India at the last minute after two boys of Pakistani descent were denied Indian visas.
As one of the team’s best players, Eli led the team to its first ever victory on tour with a memorable innings in a park in Calcutta. After being mocked for playing cricket as a teenager, he fell in with the wrong crowd and left school in Blackpool without any GCSEs.
He told The Times that the entire team “came back with their eyes wide open” and added: “I realised there was more to life than being a puppet.”
Eli was asked to lead one of the training sessions on tour and Flintoff offered to fund his coaching qualifications, something the 19-year-old eagerly accepted.
Since returning to Blackpool, Eli has continued to play cricket and has gained his coaching qualification.
Eli (pictured) has continued to play cricket and hopes to become a coach, having qualified.
3. Hemi
In one of the many moments that left viewers on the verge of tears, Hemi, also 19, has a breakthrough on the tour when the team visits a teenage hangout in Kolkata.
Having struggled in school with ADHD, Hemi had never rapped or performed outside of his room.
But all that changed in Kolkata, when his supportive teammates convinced him to pick up a microphone and showcase his talent.
After being applauded by local beatboxers and his Preston crew, Hemi admits his cheeks hurt from smiling so much and vows to continue performing at home.
Six months later, Hemi has secured a job and has found work experience in post-production. He told The Times that he now “wants to get more out of his life.”
Hemi (pictured) hopes to break into the music industry, having overcome her fears of performing in public during the show.
This is the moment Hemi starts rapping for a local beatboxing group in India after his teammates encourage him to take action.
4. Josh
The 20-year-old, who has autism, was perhaps the cricketer who struggled the most on the tour of India.
The hustle and bustle of Kolkata, combined with new sights and smells and overwhelming heat, pushed Josh out of his comfort zone.
However, he has now described the trip as “eye-opening” and has started his own business, as well as rejoining his rugby club.
Josh (pictured), who has autism, was perhaps the most troubled cricketer on the tour of India.
5. Ben
Ben, who was also 20, overcame his nerves to teach an English class at a school for orphans. The episode shows how “Mr. Ben” connects with the children as he asks them to write and read aloud their ambitions in life.
Ben, who battled depression and homelessness as a teenager, says he moved south and is pursuing an apprenticeship to teach outdoor sports.
The trip, like many others, has changed his life completely.
Ben hopes to pursue a career in teaching after overcoming his nerves about giving a lesson in India.
6. Adam
It took Adnan five months to reach Preston after fleeing Afghanistan without his parents. During the programme, he emotionally reveals to Flintoff: “My mother was crying and said, ‘Your life is in danger.'”
‘I left and never saw her or spoke to her again.’
Adnan, who arrived in Preston on the back of a lorry in April 2021, spent his first night with foster parents Barry and Elaine. There were plans for Adnan to find a permanent place, but after a few weeks, he decided he wanted to stay with Barry and Elaine.
Elaine said Adnan didn’t speak any English when he arrived and walked around with his head down. But his life changed when Barry took him to play cricket.
Adnan also faced major setbacks in his attempts to obtain asylum, until Flintoff intervened and wrote to the Home Office. Adnan, who will be eligible to apply for British citizenship in six years, also won a scholarship to one of Lancashire’s most prestigious boarding schools.
Adnan dreams of being a professional cricketer. He arrived in Preston from Afghanistan after a terrifying five-month journey
Adnan, who has just finished a fine season with the Lancashire under-18 team, now dreams of becoming a professional cricketer. He has also passed his driving test, meaning Barry does not have to drive him to every session.
Fans of the series will be delighted to know that Flintoff, who grew up in working-class Preston, has been rewarded with a third series thanks to its runaway success.
The cricket superstar’s series came to an end on Tuesday night, but the BBC has already started filming the third season.
A source close to the show told the Daily Mirror: ‘Freddie’s last two series have been huge successes and he and the boys have loved doing them.
‘The BBC jumped at the chance to make a third season.’