Andrew Flintoff is tall and broad, from Lancashire, which has produced generations of cricketers from traditional working class areas.

He is hailed as the new Botham in cricket circles. Born on 6 December 1977 in Preston, he made his test debut in 1998 against South Africa at Nottingham in the 4th Test.

Nicknamed ‘Freddie’ or ‘Flinty’, he is an entertainer rather than a showman. He bowls with passion and power. But batting better expresses the exuberance of his personality.

He became the 50th recipient of the Cricket Writer’s Club Young player of the year award in 1998, PCA Young Player of the year 1998, Lancashire Player of the Year 2000, Vice Captain of Lancashire 2002, Man of the Series v South Africa in 2003 and one of the five cricketers of the year included in Wisden Cricketers Almanac 2004.

Flintoff scored his fastest international century in the ICC Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka making 104 with a sensational 53 runs of the last 18 balls.