Future generations may look at Andrew Flintoff’s career statistics and wonder why there was so much commotion. He averaged 31 with the bat and 32 with the ball in Tests. Despite all the hoopla about his terrifying quick bowling, just three of his 226 wickets were five-fors. His one-day statistics were adequate but not exceptional, and his Lancashire statistics were unremarkable.

However, the statistics do not reflect his presence and the uplifting influence Flintoff had on his teammates and fans when he was at his best. Flintoff became one of English cricket’s most recognizable characters, and his presence contributed to the sport’s rise to prominence in the country around the turn of the 21st century.

Andrew Freddie Flintoff career

“Freddie” was picked for England in 1998 based as much on potential as on performance, but initially underperformed due to weight and attitude issues. His knees and ankles endured several blows from pitches and surgeons’ scalpels due to his 90mph running and bowling.

When he probed outside off with a touch of reverse swing at great speed, he occasionally bowled magnificently. As a hitter, he was usually accurate and forceful but somewhat tentative when facing great spin.

Before he toured New Zealand in early 2002, he had never struck a Test century or taken more than four wickets in a match. Then, another injury prevented him from playing in the 2002-03 Ashes, but he was fit for the subsequent World Cup in South Africa when he was the most cost-effective bowler on display.

That began Flintoff’s golden phase, which consisted of three home seasons in which he was at his apex. In 2004, he bowled at his fastest and scored a Test-best 167 against the West Indies at Edgbaston, when one of his seven sixes was memorably caught by his father. The highlight of 2005 was when he dominated the Ashes series and was unquestionably the finest cricketer in the world. The image of him comforting Brett Lee following England’s tight victory over Australia at Edgbaston became the iconic image of one of the most significant Test series.

Afterwards, Flintoff’s body began to resist. In addition, he was severely miscast as captain for Australia in 2006-07, often appearing despondent as his team was swept 5-0. And England’s World Cup campaign in 2007 will be remembered most for Flintoff’s humiliating fall from a pedalo during a late-night drinking binge.

He squeezed one excellent final performance out of his ailing joints in 2009, destroying the Australians at Lord’s before practically guaranteeing the urn’s return with Ricky Ponting’s wicket at The Oval. In September 2010, the increasingly inevitable declaration that the body could no longer support it was made. One of cricket’s almost-greats had passed away.

How did he get injured?

On Monday, Flintoff, 45, was filming in freezing conditions at the Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey, England.

“Freddie was wounded this morning in an accident on the Top Gear test track, and crew doctors responded swiftly,” the BBC stated.

“He was transferred to the hospital for further treatment, and we will provide further information in due time.”

Flintoff’s injuries are not life-threatening, according to The Sun, which also reported that he was “driving normally on the track” and was not travelling at high speeds.

A source informed The Sun that all the standard health and safety safeguards were in place throughout filming. “Freddie was airlifted to the hospital shortly after that.

“For the time being, filming has been postponed, and everyone’s only concern is Freddie’s health.”

Chris Harris, who presents the show with Paddy McGuiness alongside Flintoff, was also present at the test track.

Flintoff declared himself “totally OK” when he walked away from a 125 mph collision that occurred during the production of another episode of Top Gear in 2019.

He stated at the time, “I go to tremendous efforts to succeed in Top Gear drag races, but on this occasion, I went a bit too far. It will appear more ludicrous than hazardous on television.”