Ordinary yet extraordinary

Andrew Flintoff is not exactly unsung as heroes go: Sports Personality of the Year, an OBE and the Freedom of Preston have seen to that. While everyone knows about the Ashes, few are aware that Flintoff has been helping grassroots cricket, and his old friend, Gary Yates, too.

In a year of plenty - that Ashes win, a new baby, a wedding, an ankle operation plus the small matter of three tours - Flintoff still found time to go to three benefit events for Yates, including the finale at Stockport Grammar School where, alongside Yates, Stuart Law and Mark Chilton, he enchanted 500 future Freds with jokes and tales of the Ashes.

"He's just one of the most honest, genuine guys I've ever met - this just confirmed it," said Yates. "He's always said he would do whatever he could to help and he rang from Pakistan in December to say it again. His commitments are so hectic - it was a real honour to have him here."

Flintoff has always been a man of the people: the school event also raised money for Bramhall Cricket Club, who Flintoff cheered on to success in the National Club Championship at Lord's in 2001, as an ordinary spectator - his old Lancashire team-mate and flat-mate Paddy McKeown was playing for Bramhall. Of course, Flintoff is the master at blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.