Brisbane, Australia – Sixteen-year-old Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, made headlines with a brilliant century for England Lions on day two of their four-day match against Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane.
Batting at number nine, Flintoff played a crucial innings, scoring 108 off 127 balls to help his side post a first-innings total of 319.
His knock, which included several well-timed boundaries, helped England Lions recover from a precarious 161-7. Flintoff’s resilience at the crease allowed the visitors to build a vital lead, with Cricket Australia XI now trailing by 72 runs after reaching 33-1 in their second innings at stumps.
Flintoff’s Heroics Propel England Lions Forward
Flintoff, who has been coached by his father on this tour, displayed remarkable composure under pressure. He built partnerships with lower-order batters to stretch England Lions’ innings beyond what initially seemed possible.
Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Davies had earlier provided a solid foundation with 76, while Freddie McCann’s gritty 51 played a crucial role in England’s recovery.
England Test bowler Josh Tongue, batting alongside Flintoff, contributed five runs from 29 balls, showing patience to support his teammate. Mitchell Stanley also provided resistance, facing 27 balls for his four runs as the Lions maximized their first-innings total.
Flintoff’s knock is a significant milestone in his budding career. After signing his first professional contract with Lancashire in June, he has steadily gained experience, featuring in four first-class matches and seven List A games. His innings in Brisbane further underlines his growing potential and ability to deliver under challenging conditions.
Cricket Australia XI Face Uphill Task
Cricket Australia XI, who were bowled out for 214 in their first innings, now face an uphill battle. Their reply to England’s total began cautiously, but they still have 72 runs to erase before setting a competitive target.
In their first innings, England Lions’ fast bowler Pat Brown was the star with the ball, claiming a hat-trick in his 5-21 spell. His efforts left Cricket Australia XI struggling at 55-4, before wicketkeeper Ryan Hicks staged a recovery with a well-fought 64. Despite this, the home side failed to build a substantial lead.
England Test spinner Shoaib Bashir bowled 16 overs, finishing with figures of 1-62, while Whitney was the most successful bowler for Cricket Australia XI, taking 4-72.
Looking Ahead
With two days remaining in the match, Cricket Australia XI will look to erase the deficit and set a challenging target for England Lions. However, with momentum firmly on their side, the visitors will be aiming to capitalize on their lead and push for victory.
Flintoff’s century has undoubtedly been the highlight of the match so far, and all eyes will be on whether he can continue his impressive form as the tour progresses.
