Andrew Flintoff has stepped down as head coach of England Lions after nearly two years to focus on his new role at Australia’s Sydney Thunder franchise in the Big Bash League.Flintoff, who also plans to spend more time on his TV career and with his family, was not in the running to replace Brendon McCullum as England’s Test coach, and faced a potential clash between his Thunder and Lions work.The 47-year-old, one of England’s greatest and most popular cricketers of all-time, took charge of his country’s second string team in September 2024 and previously credited the role with ‘saving’ him after his near-fatal Top Gear crash. Flintoff was hailed for creating an impressive environment and helping to develop several talented young players, yet he is leaving the job with immediate effect.He said: ‘Unfortunately I’ve made the decision to step away from my role with the Lions. ‘Not only have I enjoyed my time having the opportunity to work with the best young cricketers in the country, but have taken great pride in seeing them develop. Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has stepped away from his role as England Lions head coach Flintoff (pictured with former Test head coach Brendon McCullum) was praised for his work ‘I’d like to thank the coaches and staff for all their passion, tireless work and support they give everyday. ‘In particular, Ed Barney who I’ve loved working with and was so lucky to have as a performance director, and obviously Rob (Key) for trusting me with one of the most important roles in English cricket.’I can’t wait to get started with the Thunder later in the year and see where coaching takes me.’Flintoff’s time with the Lions was the latest step on his coaching journey following his return to the game after his life-changing crash while filming Top Gear in December 2022.Flintoff was airlifted to hospital after the incident having suffered serious facial and rib injuries before he faced a lengthy period recovering, where he initially refused to leave his house except for medical appointments. Flintoff previously had little involvement in cricket following his retirement in 2010, focusing instead on a hugely successful TV career.He joined the England Lions having also coached Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. Flintoff similarly spent time around England’s senior team.Speaking in 2025 on a Disney+ documentary about his career and recovery from the car crash, Flintoff opened up on how important his return to the sport had been.’This sounds awful: part of me thinks I should have been killed,’ he said. ‘Part of me thinks I wish I had died. I didn’t want to kill myself, I won’t mistake the two things. ‘I wasn’t wishing, I was thinking: that would have been so much easier. Now I try to take the attitude, you know what, the sun will come up tomorrow, and my kids will still give me a hug. I feel in a better place now.’If one thing’s come out of it which is positive it’s being back in cricket. It’s probably the one thing that saved me. ‘I’ve been welcomed back into that fold. It’s such a good place. I feel it’s safe. I have moments when I’m sat in a dressing room and I’m watching a game of cricket surrounded by cricketers and friends, and I’m able to forget.’ Flintoff (pictured in 2018) was involved in a near-fatal car crash while filming Top GearIn the press release announcing his exit from the Lions, the ECB’s performance director Ed Barney added: ‘Fred has helped to transform the Lions environment into a programme that has had a major impact on young players.’By creating an environment that both supports and pushes excellence at all times he has helped bring forward a new generation of young players.’Coaches have also flourished alongside him, whether early in their coaching journey or with decades of experience, and he has consistently maximised the expertise around the group.’We wish him the best in the next stage of his coaching career and look forward to a time he returns to the English game.’The former England and Sussex all-rounder Mike Yardy will step in to take charge of next week’s four-day match at Beckenham between Pakistan and a Professional County Club Select XI. England’s latest injury concern England opener Emilio Gay has added to the Test team’s injury concerns after retiring hurt with shoulder trouble during a one-day game for Durham.Gay walked off the field at Chester-le-Street holding his right shoulder, the ball after driving Middlesex seamer Toby Roland-Jones for a boundary, and must now be a doubt for the first Test against Pakistan, starting at Headingley on August 19.The ECB said they would assess the extent of the injury over the weekend, but the potential absence of Gay – who only made his Test debut in June, against New Zealand – would cause further disruption to England’s top order after Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the three-match series against Pakistan with a knee injury.Jordan Cox will take Bethell’s place at No 3, but it is less clear who would open if Gay is ruled out too. Ollie Pope, the spare batsman in the 16-man squad for the first two Tests, has never gone in higher than No 3, and it is inconceivable that England would ask Dan Lawrence to open on his return to the side after he struggled in that role two years ago against Sri Lanka.Other openers on England’s radar outside the Test squad include Durham’s Ben McKinney and Glamorgan’s Asa Tribe.