Rob Key has launched an extraordinary defence of England Lions coach Andrew Flintoff following "disrespectful" criticism, describing him as an "unsung hero" and defending the ECB's decision to allow him to leave an upcoming tour to South Africa early to coach in the Big Bash. He initially worked with England's white-ball teams in an informal consultant role and was appointed head coach of the Lions - England's A team - in September 2024. "I saw something I thought was unfair, actually, on Andrew Flintoff, where it said he shouldn't have been doing that Lions job because he's not doing this job now, the England head coach's job," Key said. Key added that he saw no reason why the Lions coach had to be a contender for the main job, though suggested that Flintoff would become one in time. "It has never been [the case] that the Lions coach goes into being the head coach of England," he said.