When Andrew Flintoff Struggled With Bulimia And Was Deemed As A 'Fat Cricketer'

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff left behind a legacy that only a few have been able to match, especially in Test cricket. Andrew Flintoff’s career statistics do not tell the story; however, he was one of the most impactful performers and instrumental in England’s Ashes victories in 2005 and 2009. Meanwhile, the retired cricketer has opened up on his health struggles.

Andrew Flintoff was undoubtedly a very decorated all-rounder; however, frequent injuries curtailed his career. From 1998 till 2009, the 42-year old featured in 141 ODIs, 79 ODIs, and seven T20 internationals. Flintoff ended his career at the Oval in 2009, having delivered back the Ashes urn to England. He took a wicket and scored 29 runs.

Andrew Flintoff reveals suffering from Bulimia, an eating disorder and frequently threw up during matches. The Lancashire all-rounder stated he knew all the grounds and the precise where he could and away from the dressing rooms. The 42-year old also concealed the same from his teammates since he could comprehend their reactions.

“I scored my first hundred in New Zealand in Christchurch. I came off at lunch and threw my lunch up. I knew all the grounds and where it was easier [to throw up]. Lord’s was so much easier because the toilets were away from the dressing rooms. I knew what the reaction would be,” Flintoff said as quoted by News18.

“I can’t identify with that person” : Andrew Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff further said that he never walks down the memory lane and looks back on old pictures since he could not identify himself with that version. Flintoff disclosed receiving flak for being unfit; however, was unable to get the disorder under control. Currently, the former English cricketer works as a television presenter briefly got into boxing as well.

“I never look back on old games. I can’t identify with that person. I see this person who is a stone-and-a-half heavier than what I am now. I think in some ways I thought the way I was dealing with it I had a lid on it and I was muddling along in my own way. I remember when I started making myself sick it felt like my decision,”

“I was getting hammered in the papers for being overweight. I was known as the fat cricketer and it was the quick fix to do it. Then I went from doing it if I had a drink and doing it if I had eaten foods I didn’t want to eat or felt I shouldn’t eat, to then doing it most meals. That was then it started controlling me,” he added.

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