Rocky Flintoff will make his first-class debut for Lancashire at The Oval

Sixteen-year-old Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, will make his County Championship debut for Lancashire at The Oval today (August 22). 

The younger Flintoff has had a rapid rise to professional cricket over the last few months. He went viral playing for Lancashire U19s at Edgbaston when he scored a century, playing shots which looked eerily similar to his father. He subsequently signed his first professional contract with Lancashire at the beginning of the summer, and was recently called-up to play for England U19s in their white-ball series against Sri Lanka, and scored a century in the youth Test match.

During July of this year, Flintoff made his List A debut, appearing for Lancashire in the One Day Cup, playing his first match against Kent. He made 88 in his fifth match, playing against Middlesex, top-scoring for Lancashire in a 115-ball innings.

Flintoff will be the youngest-ever player to make his first-class debut for Lancashire, aged 16 years and 137 days. The previous youngest debutant for the club was Peter Marner, who first stepped out for the side in 1952 also at the age of 16. 

While making a first-class debut is an important milestone for any player, the day could have a double importance for Flintoff. It is GCSE results day across England and Wales today, with Flintoff also assumedly set to, or already having received his results.

Lancashire currently sit in seventh place in the Division One table on 101 points, having won only two of their games. It will be a tough task for them to take on first-placed Surrey, who are bolstered by the return of Sam Curran and Will Jacks.

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