NEW DELHI: Rocky Flintoff, the 16-year-old son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, delivered a stellar performance by scoring a remarkable century for England Lions against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane.
Batting at number nine, Flintoff hammered 108 off 127 balls, propelling the Lions to a first-innings total of 319.
His knock proved crucial in securing a 72-run lead, with Cricket Australia reaching 33-1 in their second innings.
Under the guidance of his father, who is coaching on this Lions tour, Flintoff showcased grit and determination. He shared vital partnerships with opener Alex Davies, who contributed 76, and Freddie McCann, who added 51, to rescue the team from a precarious position at 161-7.
Lower-order contributions from Josh Tongue, who battled for 29 balls to score five, and Mitchell Stanley, who faced 27 deliveries for his four, provided Flintoff with the support he needed to build a significant total.
Earlier, Lions seamer Pat Brown produced a spectacular spell, taking 5-21, including a hat-trick, to reduce Cricket Australia to 55-4 before wicketkeeper Ryan Hicks countered with a valiant 64. England Test spinner Shoaib Bashir also chipped in with figures of 1-62 from 16 overs.
Flintoff’s century continues his impressive rise in cricket. After signing his first professional contract with Lancashire in June, he scored a century for the club’s second XI in April and made his first-team debut in July. He has since featured in four first-class matches and seven List A games, cementing his status as a young talent to watch.
