Flintoff Jr named in England U19 squad for the first time

The England U19 team will play one warm-up game before welcoming Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI series and two youth Test matches this summer

Oscar Ress | 11/06/2024 at 13:59

Rocky Flintoff, son of England great Freddie, has been named in the England U19 squad for the first time ahead of a home series against Sri Lanka.

The 16-man squad will be captained by Essex all-rounder Luc Benkenstein and their ODI series starts at Chelmsford on June 28.

Mike Yardy, England Men Under-19s coach, said: "We have selected an exciting squad for the series, with a blend of some players who are currently playing in the Vitality Blast and some younger players for whom it will be their first time in an U19s squad.

"As always, it's a great opportunity for the players to perform in an England U19 shirt and to experience international cricket."

Flintoff, 16, who hit a century for the Lancashire second XI in April, is one of six squad members with a relative within the game. Flintoff, Benkenstein, and Haydon Mustard all have fathers who played professionally while Thomas Rew, Farhan Ahmed, and Charlie Allison all have brothers currently in the professional game.

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^{Farhan Ahmed, brother of England leg spinner, Rehan, recently signed a contract with Nottinghamshire (Getty Images)}

This ODI squad includes nine players from England’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup squad during the winter.

Captain at the World Cup, Ben McKinney, and Hamza Shaikh were not considered for selection as they will likely appear in the three-day First-Class County Select XI match against West Indies in early July.

The three-match ODI series will be followed by two Youth Tests with the squad for those games set to be announced later this month.

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