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October 23, 2014.
Network Ten Signs Andrew Flintoff For Big Bash League Team.
Former English Captain Joins All-Star Line-Up Including Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist,
Kevin Pietersen, Damien Fleming And Mark Waugh.
Network Ten is delighted to announce that former English Cricket Captain Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff
MBE will join Ricky Ponting AO, Adam Gilchrist AM, Damien Fleming and Mark Waugh AM in the
commentary box for the 2014-15 KFC T20 Big Bash League.
Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket in 2009, announced today that he will also play in the 2014-15
KFC T20 Big Bash League with the Brisbane Heat.
The KFC T20 Big Bash League debuted on Network Ten in December 2013 and was a ratings smash in
its first year on free-to-air television.
The 2014-15 season will be broadcast live and exclusive on Network Ten from December 18, 2014.
Flintoff’s involvement with Network Ten will see him provide expert commentary for a number of the
season’s major matches. He will also wear a microphone on the field during play and a helmet
camera while batting, adding another dimension to TEN’s broadcast.
Commenting on his new association with Network Ten, Flintoff said: “The Big Bash League is a great
game for players and fans alike and Network Ten has pulled together an impressive commentary lineup of Aussie cricket legends. I think we will have some good fun on and off the field.
“I am looking forward to heading down under to play with the Brisbane Heat, soaking up some
Queensland sun and having some fun in the commentary box with Ponting, Gilchrist, Fleming and
Waugh.”
Flintoff’s signing follows the news that former team-mate Kevin Pietersen MBE will play the 2014-15
season with the Melbourne Stars and also join TEN’s commentary team for a number of matches.
Network Ten Head of Sport, David Barham, said: “The addition of Flintoff and Pietersen to TEN’s
commentary team ensures that our coverage of the KFC T20 Big Bash League continues to be a firstclass television experience for viewers.
“Network Ten has the most exciting and contemporary cricket commentary team seen in the past 30
years. The world-class duo of Flintoff and Pietersen will add some more star power to the League,
creating excitement and rivalry that will further enhance the game for fans.”
Network Ten is also proud to announce that expert commentators Ricky Ponting AO and Adam
Gilchrist AM have re-signed with the Network until the completion of the 2016-17 KFC T20 Big Bash
League season.
“To have Ricky and Adam on board for the next few years is a coup for Network Ten. They both
proved exceptionally popular with viewers in 2013-14 and will help to cement the quality of our
broadcast into the future,” Barham added.
Flintoff will also join TEN Sport’s Mel McLaughlin, Mark Howard and Damien Fleming tonight for an
extended live interview on The Thursday Night Sport Show from 9.30pm on ONE.
For further information, please contact:
Laura McLachlan
Network Ten – National Sport Publicist
P: 03 9275 1343. M: 0401 644 061
E: [email protected]
ABOUT ANDREW FLINTOFF
Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff MBE first started playing cricket at Dutton Fawshaw Cricket Club in the
United Kingdom. His first representative cricket was for Lancashire U11 team, and he continued up
the ranks within Lancashire, making his first class debut in 1995.
A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff was consistently rated by the ICC as being among
the top international all-rounders in both ODI and Test cricket throughout his career.
Following his Test debut in 1998 against South Africa and his ODI debut in 1999 against Pakistan, he
became an integral player for England, serving as both captain and vice-captain of the team.
Flintoff made his biggest impact for England in the summer of 2005, when he played a major role in
regaining the Ashes from Australia. He was man of the match in England's victory at Lords in the
second Test, taking five wickets in the second innings after a fine display of fast bowling and
achieving the rare feat of making both Lord's Honours Boards.
His contributions to the team were legendary and won him the BBC Sports Personality of the Year
award in 2005, the first cricketer to win since Sir Ian Botham in 1981. In the New Year's Honours List
for 2006, Flintoff was appointed an MBE for his role in the successful Ashes side.
In July 2009, Flintoff announced his retirement from Test cricket at the conclusion of the 2009 Ashes
series in August, making himself available for future commitments in ODI and T20 International
matches.
In September 2010, with his status as one of the biggest players in the game, he retired from all
cricket at the age of 32 due to a recurring knee injury. In May 2014 he came out of retirement after
five years to play T20 cricket for Lancashire again.
Since retiring from cricket Andrew has developed a strong, credible career in broadcast including a
BAFTA winning sports based comedy panel show currently in its ninth series, wildlife and extreme
adventure series and documentaries and his own radio show. He also has his own hugely successful
clothing range.
In the summer of 2012, Flintoff embarked on his greatest challenge to date: training to become a
professional heavyweight boxer. His effort was broadcast in a three-part documentary in the UK
which exposed the gruelling journey he had to face in order to realise his dream. The culmination of
this was a victory in his debut fight where he defeated his American opponent in a fiercely contested
points victory.
In addition to his media career, Flintoff is committed to his children’s charity, the AF Foundation,
which he set up with his wife Rachael in July 2009. The charity aims to raise funds to build, develop
and improve child rehabilitation and physiotherapy units throughout the UK.
The 2014-15 KFC T20 Big Bash League with Network Ten will be Flintoff’s first time on screen as a
pundit since his full retirement in 2009.