Brave Freddie Flintoff seen helping to coach England nine months on from horrific Top Gear crash

FREDDIE Flintoff was back with pals on the cricket pitch last night — nine months after cheating death in his Top Gear horror smash.

The 45-year-old star, who suffered facial injuries and broken ribs in the 130mph crash, was ­pictured helping to coach the England team in Cardiff in their match against New Zealand.

One-day captain Jos Buttler said: “He’s a legend and it’s great to have him around.”

Freddie narrowly escaped death after driving an open-topped three-wheel Morgan Super 3 for the BBC motor show last December at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.

But nine months on, he was seen leading fielding drills in the warm-up for a one-day showdown at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens.

Flintoff, who took 226 wickets for England, wore a catching mitt as he received balls from bowlers Reece Topley and Gus Atkinson.

He was also seen chatting to bowling coach David Saker as they strolled off the field.

Freddie was later snapped sitting alongside stars Joe Root and Ben Stokes on the players’ balcony during England’s innings.

At times, the star was wearing dark glasses and an England-branded bucket hat.

It was understood he is helping out the side as an unpaid consultant and is not an official member of the coaching lineup.

His transition to the full international side is believed to follow a stint with England’s Under-19s.

Skipper Jos Buttler said: “He’s starting to do a bit of stuff in cricket. He’s an England legend and it’s great to have him around the squad.

“He’s not in any specific role but a few of the lads can pick his brain.”

BBC chiefs abandoned all ­filming of Top Gear in the aftermath of the crash and “sincerely apologised” to the star.