Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff’s son Rocky is making waves, and now some important people are advocating for him to be fast-tracked into the English team.
18-year-old Rocky recently scored a century for Lancashire in the One-Day Cup. Although Lancashire failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals after a heavy defeat by Durham on Friday, throughout his 8 games of the season, Rocky impressed not a little. He scored 315 in those matches at an astounding average of 63.
Former England cricketer and renowned commentator David Lloyd believes Rocky is ready for the highest challenge, that is, playing for England. Lloyd spoke after Rocky’s 123 off 76 balls against Somerset earlier this week, which helped Lancashire post a massive total of 443/6. Needless to say, they comfortably won the match.
"He's got everything," Lloyd said. "I think he's an international cricketer. England have been pretty good in recent years in identifying talent and stretching and pushing them forward, and I think they can do that with Flintoff," he added.
{{/usCountry}}"He's got everything," Lloyd said. "I think he's an international cricketer. England have been pretty good in recent years in identifying talent and stretching and pushing them forward, and I think they can do that with Flintoff," he added.
{{/usCountry}}Lloyd has also coached and played for Lancashire and knows Andrew Flintoff very well. Having been associated with cricket all his life, one can safely say there has to be something special about Rocky or else Lloyd wouldn’t be so effusive in praise.
Steven Croft toes the line
Lloyd is not the only one who believes that Rocky has massive potential. Lancashire coach Steven Croft is also quite impressed with the way Rocky has carried along. Croft is particularly impressed that Rocky, who is always under pressure because of his association with Andrew Flintoff, has not let that affect him. It may be noted that senior Flintoff coached his son at the England Lions set-up before stepping down earlier this month.
"Naturally, pressure will follow him, unfortunately, because of his surname, but he has been up to the task so far," Lancashire coach Steven Croft told BBC Sport.
"The way he has carried himself in this competition has been brilliant. That first hundred for him [against Somerset] is massive. To get his first one... I won't say out of the way... but now he knows he can do it at this level. The next for him is to do it at first-class level. He is a very fast learner," he added.