Andrew Flintoff

Since leaving cricket, I've tried my hand at professional boxing, a live stage show, and working for TV. I've had some interesting experiences, including working with the former basketball player Dennis Rodman. ”

I was a professional cricketer for 16 years. ”

I am actually learning to enjoy bowling, and I never thought I'd say that. I didn't enjoy it in the past because it hurt. It hurt my back or my ankle. ”

It was an old cricket coach who started calling me Fred - as in Flintstone. There are far worse things to be called in the dressing room. ”

You're never prepared for the end of a career. ”

My bats were brilliant. The shape of them changed, and towards the end of my career, they got a little bit bigger. ”

Playing for England was always something I dreamt of and, of course, you then think of the captaincy. It was something I never thought I would be offered, especially after the way I started my career. But when it came along, I was very keen to have a go. ”

Throughout my career, in cricket and beyond, I've been incredibly lucky with my marriage. I met Rachael in 2002, and that was the year my England career kicked on. Everything started to click. ”

I thought my dream job was to play cricket. ”

They're strange, the Aussies. Because if they like you, they say, 'Oh, he's an Aussie.' And I keep saying, 'I'm not, I'm from Preston.' There's nothing Australian about me. Don't start claiming me just because I've got a job over here. ”