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Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings is in awe of the “blissful naivety” of Rocky Flintoff.
Flintoff, the son of former England captain and 2005 Ashes hero Andrew, turns 17 subsequent week however has already made waves with some standout shows at home and England age-group and Lions ranges.
He may get the nod within the Rothesay County Championship within the coming weeks, with Lancashire beginning their Division Two marketing campaign at Middlesex on Friday, and lots shall be eager to see how he fares.
Whereas Jennings was reluctant to heap stress on Flintoff, the opener with 17 England Take a look at caps has been very impressed by what he has seen so removed from Lancashire’s youngest ever first-team cricketer.
“I don’t need to use the phrase naive as a result of everyone seems to be naive at 16 however I like the blissful naivety he performs with,” mentioned Jennings, who shall be hoping to steer Lancashire to Division One promotion this yr.
Fearless
“There’s no worry, there’s no scarring, there’s pure pleasure to exit and carry out. Simply from his web periods, he actually stands and hits the ball, he desires to only play and rating runs and I like that.
“Hopefully we are able to maintain that scarring out of his head, that may be superb. However the largest factor for me is he enjoys enjoying, you possibly can see his enjoyment in enjoying the sport and truly hitting the ball.
“I most likely didn’t have that as a 16-year-old. I assumed each ball was a risk, which he doesn’t. Hopefully he can maintain going and play some actually good cricket.”
Flintoff recorded Lancashire’s youngest ever second-team century final summer time then did the identical for the Lions on the winter journey to Australia – on each events snatching the document from his father.
Matty Hurst
Matty Hurst, one other rising prospect at Previous Trafford, was within the XI in Brisbane and the 21-year-old believes England’s senior set-up is having an affect on the likes of him and Flintoff.
“You noticed when he scored 100 – simply with the ability to let nothing faze him,” Hurst mentioned.
“He takes every little thing in his stride and he’s simply capable of put himself on the park and carry out at a excessive stage.
“The brand new technology of Bazball, you’re not scared to fail and I feel that’s a advantage of him that if he does mess up, he’ll go once more and maintain coming.
“He’s such a younger lad, he’s nonetheless received that drive, he’s nonetheless received the passion and willpower to maintain getting higher and higher and higher.”
Flintoff’s older brother Corey, 19, has this week signed a two-year rookie contract for Kent and the pair may come up towards one another this yr.
Jennings added: “The household heritage they’ve will breed that aggressive nature and can breed them desirous to do nicely for one another and attempt to outdo one another, which is able to solely be good for them.
READ MORE: Andrew Flintoff’s son Corey signs two-year rookie contract with Kent
