Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, has been named in the England Under-19s squad for their upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against South Africa. The 18-year-old’s inclusion marks his return to the national youth set-up after an injury prevented him from participating in England's journey to the final of the U19 World Cup earlier this year.
Joining Flintoff in the squad is uncapped seamer Charlie Harmison, whose father is former England fast bowler Steve Harmison. Their call-ups highlight a recurring theme in English cricket, as the sons of well-known international players begin to make their own mark on the sport. The selections will undoubtedly draw comparisons and expectations, given their fathers' significant contributions to English cricket.
The squad, which will face South Africa in three Youth ODIs before two Youth Tests, includes a blend of returning players and new talent. Six players from the U19 World Cup squad, including Ralphie Albert, Ben Dawkins, Will Bennison, Ali Farooq, Alex French, and James Minto, have retained their places, providing a core of experience for the team.
The first Youth ODI is scheduled to take place in Leicester on 30 June, offering an early opportunity for these young talents to showcase their skills on home soil. Subsequent matches will see the teams compete in both 50-over and longer-format cricket, providing valuable development experience for the next generation of potential England internationals. The series serves as a crucial platform for players to gain international exposure and progress through the cricketing pathway.
The full England U19s one-day squad comprises: Ralphie Albert (Surrey), Will Bennison (Yorkshire), Ben Dawkins (Kent), Ali Farooq (Leicestershire), Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire), Alex French (Surrey), Charlie Harmison (Durham), Byron Hatton-Lowe (Nottinghamshire), James Minto (Durham), Tom Norton (Glamorgan), Jack Nelson (Middlesex), and Harry Wallace (Glamorgan). The geographical spread of the players across various county clubs underscores the breadth of talent being nurtured within the English cricket system.
Source: England and Wales Cricket Board