- Rocky Flintoff, 16, scored his first century for Lancashire on Tuesday afternoon.
- He has already drawn comparisons for his batting with his famous father, Andrew.
Andrew Flintoff’s teenage son Rocky scored his first century for Lancashire on Tuesday, with his impressive knock containing a series of shots reminiscent of his famous father in his heyday.
Rocky only made his debut for Lancashire’s second XI earlier this month, just two days after turning 16, and smashed an unbeaten half-century last week against Durham.
He did it again when Lancashire’s second team faced Warwickshire on Tuesday, this time coming out on top by scoring 116 off 165 balls.
Rocky shared a 39-race partnership with his older brother Corey, 18, but it was the younger brother who took center stage.
A highlight package of his best shots appeared on Lancashire cricket’s social media accounts, with Rocky hitting two brilliant pulls towards the boundary, while treating the short ball with a disdain similar to that of his father, who was not afraid to take on Australian greats Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee as they tested their mettle in the iconic 2005 Ashes.
Rocky Flintoff smashed his first century for Lancashire’s Second XI against Warwickshire
His famous father, the great Andrew of England (right), seems to have taught him well.
Andrew Flintoff was known for his batting power when he starred in the iconic 2005 Ashes, and that trait certainly appears to run in families.
Rocky (bottom center) shared a 39-run partnership with his older brother Corey (left) on Tuesday.
It was fitting that Rocky’s first century came at Edgbaston, the same venue where his father had a man-of-the-match performance in one of the greatest Test matches in history, when England beat Australia by two runs in that 2005 series. .
Rocky went through his full repertoire of strokes, with a couple of clips at mid-wicket also catching the eye.
However, he showed that he has more than just power in his locker, showing off his deft touch at times while searching for gaps in the field.
The teenage sensation raised his pitch with a back-foot shot through the offside and punched the air with delight as he raced towards the non-striker’s side.
It seems he is already a great talent with the bat in his hand, although it remains to be seen if he can also make an impact with the ball and become an all-rounder like his father.
Rocky seems destined for a very bright future, while his father, who fans affectionately know as Freddie, has begun to dedicate himself to training in recent months after surviving a near-fatal car accident while filming Top Gear in December 2022. .
Flintoff has become a coach in recent months, working with the England men’s team.
He initially retreated from the media spotlight after being involved in a near-fatal car accident while filming Top Gear in December 2022, but returned to cricket with facial marks last year.
Flintoff, 46, stayed out of the media spotlight in the months after his accident and was left with significant facial marks, but gradually returned to cricket in the latter stages of last summer.
He was part of the training squad for England’s limited overs series against New Zealand and Ireland, before traveling with the England Lions for a training camp in the United Arab Emirates last autumn.
He also left with the senior men’s team for their tour of the West Indies in late 2023.
Having impressed with his work on the international stage, Flintoff received his first major coaching role when he was appointed head coach of the Northern Superchargers for The Hundred, who will return this summer.
He seems to have taught Rocky, who is the second youngest of Flintoff and his wife Rachael’s four children, very well, and if he continues on his current trajectory, it may not be long before Rocky starts to get closer to being part of the Lancashire senior team. in the County Championship.