Freddie Flintoff delivered an emotional speech to England’s cricketers as he handed Tom Hartley his cap ahead of his international debut against Ireland.
Flintoff has spent time within the England camp as he helps the white-ball team prepare for the upcoming World Cup in India which begins on Thursday, with the holders taking on New Zealand. The legendary all-rounder made his first public appearance since he was involved in a horror crash while filming for BBC show Top Gear back in December last year.
The former Lancashire star and Ashes hero of 2005 and 2009, suffered significant facial injuries and broken ribs after crashing at 130mph in a three-wheeled open-top car. But his love of cricket and strong relationship within the England set up saw Flintoff return to the public eye doing what he loves most.
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In the customary cap awarding ceremony last month, where England’s debutants are handed their maiden international cap, Flintoff took the duties to award 24-year-old Lancs spinner Hartley the honour. In a video released by England Cricket, Flintoff told Hartley and the rest of the squad about what he described as one of ‘the hardest times of his life’
Flintoff said: "It gives me so much pleasure to share what's going to be a day Tom that you're going to remember for the rest of your life.
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"Your journey hasn't been like a lot of people's. There was no academies, no systems but to me (that) suggests a steeliness, a determination, a passion which might not be evident on the outside but it's definitely burning inside.
"When you get this cap it changes your life. It's one of those things, it's before and after it. This enables you to walk tall and move faster. Play with passion, play with pride, play with belief. And also a part of a family of people.
"They'll share the good times with you, the successes. But as I found over the past few months, they'll be there in the hardest times of your life, they will stand next to you.
"So like the lion on the cap Tom, be brave, be fearless, be proud and enjoy every minute. It gives me great pleasure to present cap number 272 to Tom Hartley."
England coach Matthew Mott revealed that Flintoff will “definitely” be joining England as a coach again in the near future, he told the BBC last month: "He's definitely going to join us again in future, we've loved having him around.
"He is revered, he's got an aura about him, he's very special. What he's gone through recently, the humility he's displayed and the life experiences he can share have been immense. Even the seasoned Test veterans, they grew up idolising him and to see him in the flesh offering so much has been very special."
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