In an exciting moment for the next generation of English cricket, Freddie Flintoff’s son Rocky surpassed his first half-century for the local club this week.
Rocky, still just 16 years old, only made his senior debut on 28 July to become Lancashire‘s youngest-ever first-team cricketer and now, less than a fortnight later, he has already hit well over a half-century.
In truth, he was closer to making it a full century, topping out at nearly 90 and the milestone has already done more than enough to get cricket fans all over the country excited.
Lancashire did ultimately go on to lose to Middlesex by five wickets in what was their sixth One-Day Cup group defeat, but the son of the county and national team legend was the real story.
Rocky Flintoff 88 (115)
Flintoff, 16, has his first half-century for Lancashire.
Reacting online, social media was awash with pure hype over the teenager and understandably so, with The Cricketer simply sharing the video along with the caption: “just 16 years of age…”
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One fan wrote, “This Rocky Flintoff is only 16 and my word he is a joy to watch. So excited to watch his future unfold”, while another added, “Looks one hell of a player, lovely to see.”
The youngster reached his maiden half-century on his Emirates Old Trafford after 77 balls, smacking a quadruple of fours and a six on his way there.
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He exited with his final tally of 88 from 115 and has already impressed with his batting record throughout the youth ranks and under 19s in particular earlier this year.
Naturally, people have been drawing similarities between Rocky and Flintoff senior, with plenty already having done so prior to this week.
2005 x 2024
Andrew Flintoff and his 16-year-old son, Rocky, share a near identical batting technique 🤯
As alluded to, Rocky Flintoff had already hit two full centuries prior to turning pro: one for England U19s in a youth Test against Sri Lanka and another for Lancashire’s second XI.
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He could have made it a full 100 this time too had he two sixes from the final two balls of the innings but was ultimately caught out by Josh de Caires – who, as it happens, is also the son of another former Lancs and England captain, Michael Atherton.
Nevertheless, Rocky Flintoff is already looking like one to watch and if he turns out to be even half the player his father was then the future of the national team is seemingly in very good hands.
Meanwhile, dad Freddie has spoken out about the “anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks” he has suffered following his crash on the set of Top Gear in December 2022 as part of a new BBC programme.
Man City fan jailed after causing £10k damage to a police vehicle following Champions League victory
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester City fan has been jailed for his part in large-scale disorder following the club’s Champions League victory.
The court heard how, following Manchester City’s Champions League Final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in Turkey on Saturday 10 June 2023, jubilant fans flocked to the streets of Manchester city centre for late-night celebrations.
The large influx of fans in high spirits prompted a police response to ‘ensure public safety’ and ‘prevent any public disorder’, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
However, the disorder did begin to escalate despite police presence.
A number of fans, including 22-year-old Leon Blackett, scaled a police vehicle and proceeded to jump up and down on it, which subsequently caused more than £10,000 worth of damage, and resulted in the vehicle having to be written off.
#JAILED | Leon Blackett (14/01/2003) of Craigmore Avenue, has been been handed a three-month jail term for causing £10k worth of damage to a police vehicle following the club's Champions League win in 2023, along with 41 months for other offences.
Following the disorder, an investigation was launched by GMP’s City Centre policing, with officers obtaining social media and CCTV footage that helped them to identify those responsible.
Blackett admitted to the offence, after he was arrested on Thursday 19 October 2023.
Following admitting to the offence, Blackett was sentenced to 44 months in prison – a three-month jail term for this football-related offence, along with 41 months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic related communications offence.
He has also been given a seven-year Football Banning Order, commencing on the day Blackett received his sentence.
“The actions by Blackett in the wake of Manchester City’s historic Champions League Final victory were completely unacceptable,” commented PC Matt Ford, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit.
“This is a timely reminder to those who commit crimes while following the football in another country, we will seek prosecutions for unacceptable behaviour.”
Featured Image – GMP
Sport
Six Nations to stay free-to-air as broadcasters strike new TV deal
Danny Jones
Good news for rugby fans as the Guinness Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air for the foreseeable future following a new deal being struck between the competition and its current broadcasters.
With the 2025 tournament approaching its conclusion, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next year and how to contest will be marketed, with many predicting the rights to be snapped up by a major sporting channel.
Fortunately, however, the Six Nations‘ present coverage partners have managed to keep the games as part of the current TV license package after striking a new four-year deal.
The agreement between BBC and ITV, who air all of the annual fixtures between them at the moment, will see the pair host the matches until 2029 at the very least.
As mentioned, it was thought that broadcasters and streaming platforms like TNT Sports might secure the licensing for at least part of the tournament as they continue to expand their large and varied service but, for now, UK coverage is staying right where it is.
Under the new contract, ITV will show 10 games per season, including every England match, while the BBC will air the remaining five fixtures.
BBC will also host all Wales and Scotland home games bar when the two nations play England at Murrayfieldand the Principality Stadiums, respectively.
Better still, not only will the men’s competition be staying free-to-air but BBC will continue to show every game during the Women’s Six Nations as the interest in female rugby continues to grow.
In fact, it’s having quite a boom here in Greater Manchester on its own.
Greater Mancs making strides for the next generation.
This year’s tournament has been as blockbuster and nail-baiting as ever, with England still in with a chance of winning the whole thing if they beat Wales with a bonus point – provided France fail to beat Scotland in the final game.
England’s last game gets underway at 4:45pm and it’s all to play for.
You can find all the best places to watch the remainder of the action down below:
Danny Jones -
9th August 2024 
