Former England star Flintoff reveals mental battle after car crash

AFP | London

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Former England star Andrew Flintoff has revealed the extent of the mental health struggles he has endured since his horrific car crash on the set of television programme Top Gear.

In one of his first interviews since sustaining severe facial injuries in the accident in 2022, Flintoff admitted he initially found it hard to return to public life.

The 47-year-old ex-England all-rounder said it took him “10 goes to leave my bedroom” due to anxiety on his first morning as an assistant coach with the national team in 2023.

“That day in Cardiff, it took me 10 goes to leave my hotel bedroom. I couldn’t get out of the room,” he told The Times in an interview with former England captain Mike Atherton.

“I was so anxious and worried. I eventually went down to breakfast; sat down and chatted with Reece Topley and then Jos Buttler.

“I had to go back to my room to get my baseball mitt and I was waiting for the lift again and heard footsteps. I knew it would be (England captain) Ben Stokes.

“I didn’t really know him then. I’ve built a great relationship with him since, but I was anxious about that, standing in the lift with him.

“In the dressing room, Joe Root came over, one of the best men you’ll ever meet, and everyone made me feel so welcome.