FREDDIE TO RUMBLE

Flintoff fires up Stokes and Co to double lead

- by MIKE WALTERS

BEN STOKES welcomed Freddie Flintoff back into the fold as a guest auxiliary coach to put a spring in England's step.

And as Flintoff rekindled spirits in the dressing room ahead of today's second Test with India at Edgbaston, Stokes revealed the importance of visiting dignitaries for his impressionable young side.

The England captain admitted he emptied the tank after being detained in the field for 209 overs in last month's five-wicket triumph at Headingley.

And a morale-boosting audience with the clown prince of Preston was ideal medicine as Stokes eyed a 2-0 lead.

He said: "It's been a constant thing for us, to get some of the greats who've represented England into the environment, helping out.

"It's amazing how many good conversations you can have in a social environment.