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The young Rocky Flintoff, son of the legendary former England captain and 2005 Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff, has caught the eye of Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings, who admires Flintoff’s “blissful naivety.” Rocky is about to celebrate his 17th birthday, but he’s already made quite an impression with his performances in domestic cricket and at various England age levels. As Lancashire kicks off their Division Two campaign against Middlesex on Friday, many are eager to see if Flintoff will get a chance to shine in the Rothesay County Championship.
Jennings, donning his captain’s hat and wielding the experience of 17 England Test caps, is careful not to set too many expectations on the young player. Yet he can’t help but be impressed by what Flintoff has showcased so far. Lancashire’s youngest ever first-team cricketer has managed to stand out to Jennings without any real pressure being applied.
“There’s something wonderful about the innocence he brings to the game,” Jennings noted. “At 16, everyone has a touch of naivety, but his is mixed with a genuine joy for the sport. He approaches each match without fear or negative experiences clouding his mind, and it shows in the way he eagerly steps up to play. Just watching him practice, there’s this clear sense of pure joy in simply hitting the ball. It’s refreshing.”
Jennings recounts his own experiences at that age, often feeling that every ball was a potential threat. In contrast, Flintoff steps up with a carefree spirit, which, according to Jennings, is promising for his future in cricket.
Last summer, Flintoff set a new record by becoming Lancashire’s youngest-ever to achieve a second-team century, a record he managed to take from none other than his father. He then went on to replicate this feat during the winter trip to Australia with the Lions.
Another young talent at Old Trafford, Matty Hurst, who played alongside Flintoff in Brisbane, reckons the senior England team’s approach has positively influenced them. Hurst, at 21, praised Flintoff’s ability to remain unfazed and perform at such an impressive level. He topped it off by saying, “The Bazball philosophy of not being afraid to fail suits him perfectly. He’s relentless in his drive to improve and his enthusiasm never wanes.”
Adding to the Flintoff legacy, Rocky’s older brother Corey recently signed a two-year rookie contract with Kent. This could set the stage for an interesting sibling rivalry should they face each other in competition this year. Jennings aptly summed up the competitive spirit within the family: “Their heritage is bound to fuel their competitive nature and their drive to excel both individually and against each other will surely be beneficial.”
READ MORE: Andrew Flintoff’s son Corey signs a two-year rookie contract with Kent.
