Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has stepped down as head coach of England Lions.
The 48-year-old, who has been in control of the Lions since September 2024, thanked England managing director Rob Key in his leaving assertion for “trusting me with one of the crucial necessary roles in English cricket.”
Flintoff was named head coach of Australian Massive Bash franchise Sydney Thunder in June, taking over his first abroad T20 teaching function.
He was initially set to proceed in his Lions function, leaving a deliberate tour of South Africa early to join-up with Thunder, however now departs the nationwide set-up.
“Sadly I’ve made the choice to step away from my function with the Lions,” stated Flintoff.
“Not solely have I loved my time having the chance to work with the most effective younger cricketers within the nation, however have taken nice delight in seeing them develop.
“I might prefer to thank the coaches and employees for all their ardour, tireless work and assist they provide on a regular basis.
“I can not wait to get began with the Thunder later within the yr and see the place teaching takes me.”
Flintoff additionally spent two seasons as Northern Superchargers males’s coach in The Hundred, main the Leeds-based facet to fourth and third-placed finishes.
He was not retained for 2026 after the franchise was taken over by the house owners of the Sunrisers group.
Previous to his appointment with the Lions, Flintoff helped coach England’s white-ball sides on a casual foundation, having left his place as a presenter on tv driving programme Prime Gear.
His final project within the Lions function was South Africa A’s tour of England in Might and June, the place his facet misplaced each four-day matches and two of three 50-over video games.
“Fred has helped to remodel the Lions atmosphere right into a programme that has had a serious influence on younger gamers,” stated England and Wales Cricket Board males’s efficiency director Ed Barney.
“Coaches have additionally flourished alongside him, whether or not early of their teaching journey or with many years of expertise, and he has constantly maximised the experience across the group.
“We want him the most effective within the subsequent stage of his teaching profession and stay up for a time he returns to the English sport.”
Mike Yardy will step in as head coach for the four-day Skilled County Membership Choose XI match that serves as Pakistan’s warm-up earlier than their three-Take a look at collection in opposition to England later this month.
The fixture begins at Beckenham on Wednesday, 12 August, whereas the Lions may also be the opposition for Sri Lanka’s two T20 warm-ups firstly of their limited-overs tour of England in September.
