Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is close to joining Brisbane Heat for the Australian Big Bash T20.
Flintoff, 36, returned to professional cricket after almost five years in retirement in July, helping Lancashire to the final of the T20 Blast.
“We’ve had discussions and hopefully we will be able to confirm next week,” Heat coach Stuart Law told the Manchester Evening News.
“Fred is a proud man. He is not after the cash, he wants to contribute.”
Feel the Heat |
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Brisbane Heat’s squad includes Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, all-rounder Shane Watson and New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori. |
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The Heat won the Big Bash in 2013, but could only finish fifth last season. |
Though Flintoff was limited to only two regular-season T20 Blast games by injury, he returned for the final against Birmingham Bears.
He took the important wicket of Ian Bell with his first delivery and hit two sixes off eight balls en route to a quickfire 20, but his side fell four runs short of victory.
And Law, who played alongside Flintoff at Lancashire, believes that the all-rounder’s starring role in England’s Ashes wins over Australia in 2005 and 2009 have added, rather than detracted, from his popularity down under.
“We know we will not be getting Freddie at his best from 2005, but if he is anywhere close then he will be great for us,” Law added.
“The Australian fans will love him. They won’t get on his back. He will create a following here and will love it in Brisbane.
“If he helps us win the tournament, he could then play in the Champions League with us and that could open up more doors for him in India.”
Since announcing his retirement in 2009, Flintoff has been involved in broadcasting and made a documentary about his one-fight professional boxing career – a points win over American Richard Dawson.
