Andrew Flintoff is set to become England’s new white-ball coach, with the 46-year-old former star set to make his return to a key cricket role just 18 months after the horrific Top Gear crash

England are preparing to take a new coaching risk by considering handing over control of their white-ball teams to Andrew Flintoff.

Until Friday night, Flintoff had not taken charge of a professional team, but neither had Brendon McCullum overseen a first-class match when Rob Key appointed him as Test coach two years ago – an appointment that revitalised England’s fortunes.

Key also opted for Matthew Mott shortly after he arrived as ECB director of men’s cricket in spring 2022 but found himself leading a white-ball review this week after two disappointing World Cup title defences in the space of eight months.

Change now seems inevitable after a Mott-led side captained by Jos Buttler were knocked out of the group stage of the 50-over event on the subcontinent last November with just three wins from nine matches, losing to eventual winners India in the semi-final of the Twenty20 version in Guyana.

Only one win in their last four appearance – against hosts West Indies – has come against a nation playing in a Test match.

England have chosen Andrew Flintoff as their new white-ball coach in another gamble

Until Friday evening, Flintoff (pictured, right) had not taken charge of a professional team

Speaking to Test Match Special during England’s third Test against the West Indies, ECB chief executive Richard Gould insisted options were still being assessed.

“I’m not going to give or be drawn into a vote of confidence because I know where that leads,” Gould said.

“We will always use the time we have to make the best possible decisions. We will not be forced to do anything else.”

Flintoff, 46, returned to the professional game towards the end of the 2023 Ashes summer, months after the horrific accident while filming an episode of Top Gear that required him to undergo multiple surgeries.

Cricket is said to have helped him through the toughest of times (he enjoyed watching his sons Rocky and Corey play for Lancashire) and he was universally popular in the English environments into which he has since been placed by his close friend Key.

Change seems inevitable with Matthew Mott in the hot seat after poor run

ECB chief executive Rob Key is currently conducting a major investigation into the white ball

What began as a mentorship to young cricketers 12 months ago has evolved into a job with the England Lions, followed by an assistant role in Mott’s backroom staff, both during last December’s white-ball tour of the Caribbean and the more high-profile return there last month.

Earlier this summer, Key said a man who was an icon to many in the current crop of England cricketers thanks to his exploits as a player against Australia in 2005 was embarking on a “brilliant journey” in his development towards a head coaching role.

A Flintoff transfer would be controversial on several levels. First, there is his relationship with Key. Then there is his lack of coaching credentials despite possessing the personality to inspire in the same way McCullum did in Test cricket.

One of the obstacles holding ECB back is Flintoff’s reluctance to make himself available to the media. An English coach should be responsible for his team’s performance.

However, McCullum has been equally reticent about some aspects of the England team’s public exposure – opposing a plan for a behind-the-scenes television documentary that is becoming increasingly common in world sport.

A move for Flintoff would be controversial for several reasons, but he is capable of inspiring

But the biggest problem right now is the results.

Although England became double world champions within months of Mott’s tenure – when they won the Twenty20 crown in their native Australia – they have lost more one-day internationals than they have won since May 2022, plummeting to sixth in the ICC rankings in the process.

Key has received comments from various people associated with the teams this week, including Mott, Buttler and senior players.

A decision is expected next week, ahead of a busy period of international white-ball cricket starting in September when Australia play eight international matches.

Eight more will follow against the West Indies before Christmas and eight more after that in India, a tour which precedes the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February.