Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAndrew Flintoff will be heading to Australia later this year (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)Andrew Flintoff has been appointed the new head coach of Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League, signifying a major step in his coaching career since his return to cricket following a severe car crash. He is expected to depart the England Lions’ winter tour of South Africa early to take up this role, a decision supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) given it is his inaugural overseas T20 league position. Flintoff expressed enthusiasm for the role, stating his coaching philosophy is to ensure players enjoy cricket, work hard, and play with passion, aiming to build a team that players will eagerly want to represent. Sydney Thunder lauded Flintoff’s appointment as their "most significant off-field acquisition in club history”, as he takes over from Trevor Bayliss after the team finished last in the eight-team table the previous season. His recent coaching experience includes stints with England’s white-ball teams, where he was part of the backroom staff at the 2024 T20 World Cup, and two seasons as head coach for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. In fullEngland cricket legend Andrew Flintoff lands major coaching role in AustraliaThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in