Freddie Flintoff smiles as he arrives in Cardiff for England’s T20 World Cup warm-up with Top Gear crash scars healing

FREDDIE FLINTOFF was all smiles as he arrived for a nets session in Cardiff today as England warm up for the T20 World Cup.

Flintoff, 46, has been helping with the England coaching staff as the team prepare for the tournament.

3

3

England will play Pakistan tomorrow as preparation for the T20 competition ramps up.

Flintoff has been helping out with England's coaching team more since a horror crash while presenting Top Gear "left him lucky to be alive".

The incident saw him flip an open-top sports car while driving at 130mph during filming at Dunsfold Airfield in December 2022.

In the wake of the accident, the show was put on ice for "the foreseeable future" and there are currently no plans for a return.

READ MORE ON CRICKET

fred again

Flintoff’s son Rocky, 16, hits 3 sixes as fans say ‘looks familiar’

TURBO

Win a BMW M8 or £40,000 cash alternative from just 8p with our discount code

While Flintoff initially kept a low-profile following the accident, he is now increasingly returning to the public eye.

The accident left Flintoff with facial scarring, although those injuries are now healing.

The former England star appears to be focusing on cricket rather than anything Top Gear related now.

It comes after a source told The Sun that Flintoff's wife Rachael reportedly begged him to stay off work - which perhaps influenced his decision to focus on cricket.

Most read in Cricket

BOWLED OVER

England legend's son, 16, hits new career milestone as dad watches on as coach

HART TO HEART

'I've been hung out to dry' - BBC pundit fumes at England women's team

THAT'S OVER

Cricket match halted as fire breaks out at iconic stadium The Gabba

CONVINCED

England World Cup winner quits UK & moves to Dubai after attacks on family home

3

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

A source said: "As a loving husband and dad he understands the fear his family feel about what's happened, knowing that he could have been killed.

"He is determined to resume his TV work at some point though.

"That's why this decision will be a painful one for Freddie, but he knows that, for now at least, there are more important things in life."

Flintoff's coaching ability has been praised, and he has been tipped to one day take over as head coach of England should he continue down this path.

SUNSPORT'S TRANSFER NEWS LIVE

STAY in the know this summer with The Sun's transfer experts.

Bayern Munich line up sensational transfer for Jack Grealish to team up with Harry Kane under ex-Man City star Vincent Kompany

Aston Villa are reportedly close to resigning Ross Barkley on a permandent basis.

Arsenal 'want to sign a new striker BEFORE their pre-season tour'.

Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.