Australian cricket fans, look away now.
Teenager Rocky Flintoff, the son of England Test great Andrew “Freddie″ Flintoff, has put his name up in lights ahead of next year’s Ashes by plundering a remarkable hundred at No.9 for the England Lions against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane on Thursday.
At just 16 years and 291 days, Rocky arrived at the crease with the Lions at 7-161 and his famous father in the stands watching on as the side’s coach.
Rocky, who earlier this year became the youngest first-class player for Lancashire, peeled off a stunning 108 from 127 balls. He was the last man dismissed, helping the Lions to a total of 319 in response to Australia’s 214.
The youngster jumped in the air to celebrate his century after hitting a two into the off side.
Flintoff reached triple figures against a CA XI attack featuring opening bowlers Gabe Bell (158 first-class wickets at 24.77) and Sam Elliott (23 first-class wickets at 25.78). The match does not have first-class status.
Rocky Flintoff during a match for England’s under-19s in July.Credit: Getty Images
However, Flintoff’s Lions side will play Australia A in a first-class fixture in Sydney at Cricket Central from January 30 to February 2.
Although next summer’s Ashes series will be a little too soon for the teenager, Flintoff’s latest century will only fuel speculation he could be England’s saviour in future Test series against Australia, much like his father.
When Rocky was born in April 2008, his father had played 67 of his 79 Tests. Flintoff snr is one of England’s greatest cricketers of recent times, scoring 3845 Test runs at an average of 31.77 to go with 226 wickets at 32.78.
Flintoff was a star of the 2005 Ashes and also helped England regain the urn in 2009 on home soil.
Rocky Flintoff is a highly rated batting all-rounder, standing at 190 centimetres tall and, from all reports, has many of his father’s idiosyncrasies. He made scores of 19 and four in the previous match between the Lions and a CA XI earlier this month.
Australia host England for five Tests in the next Ashes series, starting November 21 in Perth.
Former Lancashire and England player Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff pictured in 2013 waith his son Rocky.Credit: Getty Images
War of words ahead of Sydney derby
The war of words began minutes after the Sydney Thunder beat the Melbourne Stars to set up a finals clash with cross-town rivals the Sixers on Friday night at the SCG.
Thunder leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha pulled no punches ahead of the first BBL finals match between the Sydney teams. A spot in Monday’s final against the Hurricanes in Hobart awaits the winner.
“We’re never in the Sixers’ shadow. I think they’re always scared to face us,” Sangha said after taking 2-31 against the Stars on Wednesday night, including the prized wicket of Glenn Maxwell.
David Warner of the Sydney Thunder and Moises Henriques of the Sydney Sixers.Credit: Getty Images
“Their big dogs aren’t there, there’s no one really scoring runs for them. I think we can put them under a lot of pressure.”
The Sixers, without Test squad members Steve Smith, Todd Murphy and Sean Abbott, lost a qualifier for the final on Tuesday to the Hurricanes by 12 runs.
Are they vulnerable? Definitely, according to Sangha.
“I think early wickets can really damage them,” Sangha said. “If we can try to do the same thing – get early wickets, put pressure on them – I think they can be vulnerable.
“I’m looking forward to facing the Sixers and beating them at their home ground. They’re expected to win. They usually beat the Thunder. I think we’re going to turn it around this year.”
The remarks raised eyebrows in the Sixers camp. Had Sangha forgotten that the Sixers have beaten the Thunder six games in a row since 2021?
Tanveer Sangha of the Thunder celebrates after taking the wicket of Tom Curran.Credit: Getty Images
Is David Warner as skipper fostering a no-fear mentality at the Thunder?
Or was Sangha just a little too pumped after a great win?
It will be a clash of egos and game styles in front of more than 30,000 fans.
Before Christmas, the Sixers secured a last-ball win over the Thunder. Last Friday, the rematch was rained off after just 5.1 overs.
Sixers batsman Jordan Silk returned serve with a grin on Thursday when told about Sangha’s remarks.
“I don’t think that’s fair … I wouldn’t say we’re scared or vulnerable” Silk said. “If he’s referring to some of our batters, we’ve had multiple guys throughout our whole season who have contributed to wins.
“We had hundreds scored by James Vince and Steve Smith this year and he’s probably looking at where the other runs come from. It’s a bit of light humour I’m sure.
“I think we take a lot of belief from [the fact] we’ve had the wood over them for a number of years, but they’re a different proposition.”
Thunder spinner Chris Green played more of a straight bat.
“I think there’s no secret [that] the Sixers have been the dominant force in BBL cricket,” Green said. “It’s building up for a nice match. It’s just going to add even more to the rivalry.
“I think they like to remind us that they’ve beaten us a lot, particularly when we’re around the NSW set up. You just want to get the wood over them and have the carrot for both teams.”
