After ending his playing career, Flintoff moved into television presenting and fronted Top Gear from 2019 until his life-changing accident in 2022.

In the second series of his documentary Field Of Dreams, which concluded on BBC One last week, Flintoff revealed the accident left him struggling with anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks.

“I don’t know what completely better is,” he said in scenes filmed at the beginning of this year.

“I am what I am now. I’m different to what I was. It’s something I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. Better? No, different.”

Flintoff, who is close friends with England managing director Rob Key, returned to public life by working with the white-ball team at the end of last summer.

He remained a regular feature in the limited-overs set-up, including at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA in June. Flintoff joined the Test group at The Oval this week and conducted an emotional cap presentation for debutant Josh Hull on Friday.

On the same day, Key told Test Match Special: “Freddie is loving coaching. Sometimes it is a trait that is not spoken about enough – he is kind. All of the things Fred can be: funny, extrovert. He is kind. It is an underrated quality.”

Flintoff’s return to the game has coincided with son Rocky’s rapid ascent through the ranks at Lancashire.

The 16-year-old only made his second XI debut in April and has since signed professional terms with the club, made debuts in first-class and List A cricket and also played for England Under-19s.

Corey Flintoff, aged 18, has also played for Lancashire second XI.