Analysis by BBC chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt
Even after his astonishing rise last summer, eyebrows were raised when Rocky Flintoff was named as part of the England Lions tour of Australia, a trip partly designed to be preparation for the Ashes down under later this year.
Flintoff had been quietly added to a Lions squad in South Africa in December, albeit when already in the country with the England U19s, but this seemed a huge step for a youngster averaging 12 from his four first-class matches. Given the head coach is his father, there were whispers of nepotism.
Now we have another landmark in a remarkable story. The bowling attack of the CA XI was made up of youngsters and journeymen, but Flintoff made runs where others close to the England senior side did not.
He may now have put himself in line to play in the ‘Test’ against a very strong Australia A side in Sydney next week.
Comparisons to his father are easy to make. Shots that Rocky plays are almost an avatar of Andrew. They even run in a similar way.
His development is also being fiercely protected. Andrew has barely spoken to the media since he returned to cricket following his life-changing crash while filming an episode of Top Gear. So far, every request to hear from Rocky has been rejected.
With Archie Vaughan also currently leading the England Under-19s, there is understandable excitement about the sons of legends making their way in the game, though it is not just youngsters with famous surnames coming through. Keep an eye on James Minto, Harry Moore, Thomas Rew and Farhan Ahmed.
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