Daughter delights Flintoff

Flintoff is the latest Dad in the England dressing room

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is celebrating again following the birth of his first child.

Flintoff was given permission to miss Sunday's one-day match against India at Lord's in order to be with his girlfriend Rachel.

And a 6lbs 2ozs daughter, named Holly, was born at 0400 BST on Monday.

Flintoff will rejoin the England squad in time for their opening Champions Trophy game against Zimbabwe at Edgbaston on Friday.

"He will have a few sleepless nights changing nappies. But it gives you aspring in your step, and he will be on one hell of a high at Edgbaston," said team-mate Steve Harmison.

As has been the case so often with Flintoff this summer, the timing was perfect.

Skipper Michael Vaughan, by contrast, had to leave the field during a Test match against New Zealand at Headingley in June so he could reach hospital in time for the birth of his daughter Tallulah Grace.

Flintoff will be a key figure for England if they are to have a chance of winning a tournament which they are hosting for the first time.

He has scored 383 runs in his last five one-day matches at an average of 127, including scores of 106, 123 and 99.

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