Andrew Flintoff has credited his friend and former team-mate Rob Key for creating the conditions that have allowed the England men's set-up to flourish under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, and says that the team's positive outlook is a key reason why he wanted to come on board as England Lions head coach.

Speaking to the Beard Before Wicket podcast, Flintoff reiterated that Key's friendship had been a crucial factor in his return to public life, following the horrific car-crash on the set of Top Gear in December 2022.

However, it was Key's vision for English cricket that persuaded Flintoff to make a full return to the sport in a coaching capacity, initially as a consultant for the men's white-ball squad, and latterly as Lions coach, including for this winter's tour of Australi

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