Rocky Flintoff set to haunt Ashes for decades to come as Freddie’s son earns his way to the top

Rocky Flintoff, the son of Test legend Andrew, has confirmed his standing as one of cricket’s brightest young stars with a breakout century – despite coming in at No.9 – on Australian soil.

Rocky Flintoff – son of Test legend Andrew – confirmed his standing as one of cricket’s brightest young stars with a breakout century on Australian soil.

The precocious 16-year-old, who walks, talks and bats like his illustrious father, smashed 108 off 127 balls against a Cricket Australia XI attack to post his first big-time century for the English Lions team at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

And that was despite coming in at No.9.

Proud father Andrew – who doubles as the coach of the English Lions – stood and applauded as his son was given a thunderous ovation from the Lions’ squad, and the youngster celebrated with a joyous skyward leap and fist-pump as if it were an Ashes Test ton.

Rocky Flintoff scored a century for the English Lions at Allan Border Field. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

It was an innings of great poise and power particularly the final hour when he added 75 off just 14 overs for the last wicket with Mitchell Stanley who made just eight as Flintoff cleverly farmed the strike.

Flintoff’s rasping pull shots, several of which cleared the fence, were very much out of his father’s famous handbook and the young right-hander, who dominated junior cricket in England, is clearly one out of the box.

While Indian great Sachin Tendulkar may have played Test cricket at 16, which Flintoff hasn’t, it is extremely rare for a player to be representing his country one step away from Test cricket at an age when he could be completing grade 11 at school.

Why Flintoff may haunt Ashes for decades to come

Rocky Flintoff may not have set the world on fire this week but Australia be warned – he’s coming your way “for the next 15 to 20 years’’.

Test great Andrew Flintoff is in Brisbane as coach of the English Lions squad playing a Cricket Australia XI at Ian Healy Oval where his 16-year-old son Rocky is very much a curiosity piece.

Rocky may have managed only 19 and four against the CA team but is considered an outstanding prospect and, batting wise, very much his father’s son, including a solid technique and a robust pull shot.

He stands more than 190cms with a batting style much like dad, whose tide-turning efforts in the 2005 Ashes series against Australia is the stuff of legends.

Andrew’s former teammate, outstanding Test spinner Graeme Swann, is co-coaching the Lions team and shakes his head at the likeness between Rocky and his father.

Rocky Flintoff, the son of former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff, playing against Australia A at Ian Healy Oval. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“I was watching the football on my Ipad this morning and was chatting to someone for five minutes and looked up and it was Rocky when I thought it was his dad,’’ Swann said.

“The way Rocky moves, walks and bats is Andrew Flintoff. It’s almost a joke. And I don’t think he’s ever seen his dad bat, to be honest.’’

Rocky was born on April 7, 2008, a year before his father played his last Test against Australia at The Oval.

“Rocky is an amazing kid. I’ve known his dad since we first played against each other and I was eight years old. Rocky is just Andrew Flintoff at 16. You understand how good Fred was, how far advanced he was from everyone else in the country at the same age. Well Rocky is that.

“He’s such a natural talent, I think it’s good that he’s on this trip. I mean, he’s here on merit not because ...

“We probably won’t see him in the Ashes next year but we’ll be seeing him for the next 15-20, years, Trust me.

Former England international Graeme Swann is co-coaching the team. Picture: Simon Cross

Andrew Flintoff is one of Australia’s great Ashes adversaries. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s huge. He’s six foot four. Hands like shovels. He’s got a brilliant technique, but he’s grown up playing junior cricket and being so dominant.

“He’s a brilliant player. Very good against fast bowling, murders spin, can catch anything. And he’s just such a happy character to be around.

“Weirdly, right now it’s about getting him to believe that he’s allowed to believe in himself, if that makes sense because he’s grown up in his own age group.’’

Rocky became the youngest player to make a first class debut for Lancashire at 16 years and 137 days after being the club’s youngest ever Second XI century maker beating a record held by his father.

Andrew knows Brisbane well after playing for the Heat in the Big Bash a decade ago when Rocky was just five.

“Time passes quickly,’’ Swann quipped. “He makes me feel old!’’

The English Lions were bowled out for 223 and 213 with the CA XI dismissed for 176 in their first innings and set 262 for victory.

Originally published as Rocky Flintoff set to haunt Ashes for decades to come as Freddie’s son earns his way to the top