Introduction
Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff is a former English cricketer who played international cricket for England from 1998 to 2009. He is regarded as one of England’s finest all-rounders in modern cricket. Flintoff captained England in both Test and ODI formats. He was known for his aggressive batting style, accurate fast bowling and athletic fielding.
Early Life and Domestic Career
Andrew Flintoff was born on 6 December 1977 in Preston, Lancashire, England. He was introduced to cricket by his father Colin Flintoff who played for Lancashire’s second XI. Flintoff played for Lancashire’s Under-17s and Under-19s teams before making his first-class debut in 1995 aged 17.
He established himself as an all-rounder for Lancashire, scoring over 5000 first-class runs and taking over 200 wickets. Flintoff made his One Day International (ODI) debut for England in 1999 and Test debut in 1998. He struggled early in his international career but eventually became a mainstay in the England team.
Success with England (2000-2009)
Flintoff came into his own during England’s home series against the West Indies in 2000. He scored a century and took 7 wickets to help England win a Test match. In 2002, he scored his maiden Test century against India and took 6/52 with the ball.
Flintoff had a phenomenal 2005 Ashes series in Australia, scoring 402 runs and taking 24 wickets to help England reclaim the Ashes after 18 years. He was named Player of the Series and cemented his place as one of England’s leading all-rounders.
In 2006, Flintoff was named captain of England for the Test series against India. His outstanding performance led England to a 1-1 draw. However, the responsibilities of captaincy took a toll on Flintoff’s body and he suffered frequent injuries.
He stepped down as captain in 2007 but continued to represent England when fit. Flintoff played his last Test against Australia in 2009 before announcing his retirement from Test cricket due to his recurring knee problems.
Post-retirement
After retirement, Flintoff continued to play domestic T20 leagues including the Indian Premier League. He also participated in professional boxing, winning his only bout in 2012.
Flintoff has done commentary for Sky Sports’ cricket coverage and appeared on several TV shows. He currently hosts the BBC podcast Tailenders.
In 2019, Flintoff came out of retirement to play T20 cricket for the Lancashire team alongside his son Corey. Outside of cricket, he owns several businesses including a fashion label.
Net Worth
According to CelebrityNetWorth, Andrew Flintoff has an estimated net worth of $20 million as of 2023. His main sources of income were cricket contracts, endorsement deals, business ventures and media appearances.
At the peak of his cricket career from 2005-2009, Flintoff earned around $1.5 million per year from the ECB central contract fee. He also had lucrative sponsorship deals with brands like Reebok, Pedigree, Red Bull and Sainsbury’s.
Flintoff earned big paychecks from playing in domestic T20 leagues like the IPL. He had a $1.55 million contract with Chennai Super Kings in 2009. Post-retirement, his income comes from commentary roles, business ventures, public appearances and Instagram monetization.
Personal Life
Andrew Flintoff married his wife Rachael Woods in 2005. They have three children together – Corey, Rocky and Holly. The family resides in Preston, Lancashire.
Flintoff has been involved in several charity initiatives for organizations like the British Red Cross and National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. He was awarded an MBE in 2005 and an honorary fellowship by the University of Central Lancashire in 2011.
In 2019, Flintoff revealed he had battled bulimia early in his cricket career. He struggled with his fitness and physique as a young cricketer. Flintoff overcame the disorder with time and opened up about it to raise awareness.
Height and Physical Description
Andrew Flintoff has an athletic build standing at a height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93m). During his active cricket days, he weighed around 102kg (225 lbs). Flintoff was one of the tallest cricketers of his generation.
He has a larger than life persona which earned him the nickname ‘Freddie’. Flintoff is recognized by his signature side parting curly hair and broad smile. He has the numbers ‘006’ tattooed on his left shoulder.
Career Statistics
- Test matches – 79
- Test runs – 3845
- Test batting average – 31.77
- Test wickets – 226
- ODI matches – 141
- ODI runs – 3394
- ODI batting average – 32.01
- ODI wickets – 169
Conclusion
Andrew Flintoff is one of the most beloved English cricketing heroes of the 2000s era. At his peak, he was the best all-rounder in the world and instrumental to England’s success. Though injuries cut his career short, Flintoff ended with impressive statistics and achievements. His dynamic style of play, charismatic personality and commitment to the England team made him a fan favorite.