Andrew Flintoff: From Near Death to Redemption Through Cricket

The new Disney+ documentary on the life of England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was released on Friday. Flintoff's wife, Rachael, says cricket saved him amid horrifying, never-before-seen footage of his injuries. 

Flintoff compares his instincts during the crash while filming the TV show Top Gear in December 2022 to a batter's split-second decision on how to handle a delivery hurtling towards him. 

"As it started going over, I looked at the ground and I knew if I got hit on the side, I'm going to break my neck. If I get hit on the temple, I'm dead. My best chance is to go face down. I thought my face had come off. I was frightened to death," Flintoff said.

The 47-year-old suffered severe facial injuries and fractured ribs, necessitating major reconstructive surgery and leaving him with visible scarring.

In the documentary, he recalls every detail of the collision and compares the severity of his nightmares and flashbacks to that experience, adding that he struggled with anxiety, which prevented him from leaving the house for months, except for early recovery doctor's checkups.

Rob Key, a former teammate and current director of England men's cricket, is one of the people who has played a significant role in Flintoff's comeback to cricket. In one scene, Key breaks down in tears as he talks about how cricket has helped him care for his friend of over 30 years, such as helping Flintoff watch England Test matches from remote locations, with a few of their mutual friends joining in.