Cricketer Freddie Flintoff admitted there was a “danger” when returning to the UK with his newly formed cricket team, as he feared many of them would slip back into their old lives and get into trouble again.
During the last instalment of the BBC series tonight, Flintoff was adamant about getting the boys on the straight and narrow for good, while testing out everything they had learned during their trip to Kolkata, India.
As the episode began, Flintoff discussed his worries and said: “From the moment we got here, the lads have thrown themselves into everything. But the danger is, when they get home, they slip back into their lives and carry on doing the things that they did before they came here.
“I want them to be ambitious, I want them to have dreams, I don’t want people to tell them they can’t do something. I don’t know where the ceiling is for these lads. I want to find something that they’re really passionate about, and have a real good go at it.”
Putting his worries aside, Flintoff managed to get the boys one final cricket game before they headed home back to the real world – and despite not losing one game since their arrival, it wasn’t meant to be.
However, Flintoff was still proud of his team and during their last meal together, expressed how proud he was, revealing: “I just got caught up with you lads. You know what I mean?
“Your energy, the way you are, it’s so infectious. When I’m with you, I’m just with you lads, enjoying myself and having fun, taking pride in all the stuff you’re doing. But also, I feel fortunate to be involved, so thank you. On your own your strong, I reckon together, you lads, you’re unstoppable.”
Three weeks after returning from India, the boys were still meeting up at Vernon’s Cricket Club, and already had their next cricket match booked in.
Flintoff arrived to catch up with the boys and told them: “There is one thing I’d like to do as a gift and something to keep after the trip. It stemmed from playing for England.
“So when you play for England, you get given a cap, and a cap is your number and your initials and I thought it’d be nice to commemorate Field of Dreams with doing the same thing.
“So there’s so many things that you should be proud of. What I want you to realise is I want to expand this, all over the country to as many kids as we possibly can.
“And the only reason we can do that is because of the success we’ve had with you lads. You lads have been pioneers. You’ve set the standard for everyone else to follow you. So remember it, wear it with pride and remember your number.”
Back at the beginning of the second series, Flintoff opened up about the horrific car crash he was involved in whilst filming for Top Gear, revealing his facial injuries for the first time and admitting he “shouldn’t be alive”.
Viewers were able to see the full extent of his injuries for the first time as the episode featured a homemade video from Flintoff, as he was laid up in bed recovering.
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“I should not be here with what happened. It is going to be a long road back, I have only just started. Look at the positive side, I’m still here, I’ve got another chance, and I’ve got to go at it.
“I’m seeing that how it is, so I can go. I’m looking forward to seeing the lads and being around them, really am. I really am. This India trip’s going to be for me just as much as them now. Determined, I really want to go.”
