Flintoff awarded cricket honour

The former England skipper has been named the new president of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

The 38-year-old, elected at the PCA’s annual general meeting held in Birmingham, will succeed fellow Lancastrian and ex-England player and coach David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd.

Preston-born Flintoff, who began his career with St Annes Cricket Club, becomes the seventh president in the PCA’s history and his term will include the 50th anniversary next year.

“This is a huge honour, especially as it will be the golden jubilee of the PCA in 2017,” Flintoff said.

“I have been a PCA member for more than 20 years now and it is an organisation that I am proud to be involved in.

“The Association has carried out pioneering work on mental health and well-being for past and present players through the Mind Matters series and the PCA Benevolent Fund does outstanding work in looking after players, past and current, and their dependants who fall on hard times.

“We have a small but dedicated team of professional staff who I look forward to working closely with during my time as president.”

An Ashes winner on two occasions, Flintoff played 79 Tests, 141 one-day internationals and seven Twenty20s for England.

As well as Lloyd, John Arlott, Jack Bannister, Mike Gatting, Sir Ian Botham and Chris Broad have previously occupied the role as president.

“I’m delighted to hand over the reins to ‘Freddie’ who I know will be as thrilled as I was to become PCA President,” Lloyd said.

“It’s an honour that is bestowed on very few and to head an organisation that does so much to help so many is a huge privilege.”