"I'm not a notepad coach. I tried the notepad, but I ended up just doodling in it" - Northern Superchargers head coach Andrew Flintoff
Northern Superchargers head coach Andrew Flintoff revealed that he is not a huge fan of taking notes during matches in the dugout. The newly appointed head coach has guided the team to a strong start despite a tame defeat in his first game in charge.
Flintoff returned to the cricketing circuit after recovering from a horrific car crash while filming on the set of Top Gear. The former all-rounder has been an unofficial member of the England coaching staff for a while now, and was even with the team during their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies.
He has an exciting squad under him in the 2024 Hundred, led by Harry Brook and with several experienced T20 players like Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Santner, Reece Topley, and Adil Rashid.
"There's a real excitement around The Hundred, it is hard not to enjoy that. That's the one thing I am encouraging the players. You know, this is a treat, walking out in front of 20,000 people at Headingley. I genuinely believe that players are at their best when you see their personalities in the game. That's something which I want to see from the lads when they are out there," Flintoff said in an interaction with Kate Cross.
"Hopefully in the dugout, I'll just be sat looking on with a big smile on my face, enjoying some of the world's best cricketers perform in front of us. No headphones and no notepad. I'm not a notepad coach. I tried the notepad, but I ended up just doodling in it, so I won't be having one of them," Flintoff said.
The Northern Superchargers are currently fourth in the points table, with two wins and one loss from their opening three matches.
Andrew Flintoff is one of the candidates being considered for England's white-ball head coach role
Due to his association with the England team, Flintoff is on the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) radar to be Matthew Mott's successor. The head coach role is vacant after the Australian coach departed after being in charge of the side for two years.
Flintoff, however, faces stiff competition from the likes of Michael Hussey, Jonathan Trott, and Kumar Sangakkara. His ongoing maiden high-profile coaching gig in The Hundred might play a huge role in ECB's final decision.