New Delhi, 14 May (H.S.):

Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Sydney Thunder is set to appoint England's former star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff as its new head coach soon.

According to Australian sports website Code Sports, Flintoff is the frontrunner for the position, and an official announcement of his appointment is likely imminent.

Sydney Thunder had been searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Trevor Bayliss. Bayliss, who led England to the 2019 ODI World Cup victory, had guided the team for five years. During his tenure, the team reached the final of the 2024-25 season but finished at the bottom in the 2023-24 and 2025-26 seasons.

Trent Copeland, Sydney Thunder's general manager, had stated after Bayliss's departure that the team was seeking a world-class T20 coach, and now it appears they are securing a major name in Flintoff.

Andrew Flintoff has been serving as coach of the England Lions team for the past year. He also led the England Lions during their tour of Australia. Additionally, Flintoff has served in an advisory role with England's limited-overs team.

However, his experience in franchise cricket remains limited. He coached The Hundred League team Northern Superchargers in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, during which the team finished fourth and third, respectively. He will not be with the team for the 2026 season, as terms could not be agreed upon with the new owners, Sun Group.

Flintoff has also participated as a player in the BBL. He played for Brisbane Heat in the 2014-15 season, which was the final team of his 20-year professional career.

If Flintoff's appointment materializes, his biggest decision will concern the team's captaincy. Current captain David Warner faced charges in April for driving under the influence of alcohol, with a court hearing scheduled for June 24.

Cricket New South Wales has recently made several changes to its coaching structure. James Hopes has been appointed head coach of Sydney Sixers, while Brad Haddin has been handed responsibility for the New South Wales team. Additionally, Peter Forrest and Daniel Smith have been appointed as assistant coaches.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar