Andrew Flintoff set to be named the new coach of the Northern Superchargers in next summer's Hundred... as his gradual return to cricket takes its biggest step yet

Andrew Flintoff will take the biggest step yet in his return to cricket when he becomes coach of the Northern Superchargers in next summer’s Hundred.

The hero of England’s famous 2005 Ashes triumph has been making a gradual return to the sport that made his name after the car crash earlier this year while filming BBC’s Top Gear that left him with serious injuries.

Flintoff first emerged as an unpaid mentor with the England one-day side in their limited-overs series against New Zealand last summer after watching three Ashes Tests incognito at the invitation of his close friend and managing director of England cricket Rob Key.

Such was the impact made by ‘Freddie’ that he stayed on for the 50-over series against Ireland that completed the summer and on Thursday he will travel to Abu Dhabi as a consultant on the Lions red-ball practice tour.

Now comes the biggest move yet for Flintoff as he is set to replace James Foster as the coach of the Leeds-based team in the ECB’s 100-ball competition. Kyle Hogg, who appeared with Flintoff on the BBC cricket documentary Field of Dreams, will be his assistant.

Key has been instrumental in the return of Flintoff to cricket and told Mail Sport last summer that he regularly turns to his old England team-mate for advice, such is the high regard Flintoff is held in the ECB offices of power.

The Lancastrian has now turned his back on television following his recovery from the horror crash but may film a second season of Field of Dreams which is close to its heart as it featured him forming a cricket team from a group of teenagers in his home town of Preston.