Freddie Flintoff has revealed that England captain Joe Root asked him to speak to the team ahead of this summer's Ashes series.
England are currently taking on old foes Australia in the second Test of this summer's series, trailing 1-0 after losing at Edgbaston earlier this month.
After going behind early on in the five Test series, Root's men could certainly do with some extra motivation as they look to win back the famous urn from Australia's grasp.
And in the first episode of the new series of A League of Their Own, in which Flintoff is a team captain, the former England international says he was asked by Root to give the current crop a motivational talk.
The revelation came about after current England seamer Jimmy Anderson, who was on Flintoff's team, was asked about the importance of team bonding in successful groups.
"Don't get your hopes up for the next Ashes because Joe Root phoned me up to come and speak to you all," said Flintoff.
"I would love to go in (and speak to the players). I'd give them a bit of background, about what it's like to build up for an Ashes series.
"Then I'd just tell them to hit it, catch it and throw it. It's simple."
Those pearls of wisdom were met with derision by show host James Corden as he quipped: "Hit it, catch it, throw it? Wow. Jimmy, you must feel like a different man after hearing that."
Flintoff was a key man for England when they famously won the Ashes following a thrilling series with Australia in 2005.
The now 41-year-old took 32 wickets in the series, the most of any English bowler and only second behind Shane Warne across both teams.
Flintoff was also able to contribute 402 runs with the bat at an average of 40.20.
A League of Their Own is on Sky One and NOW TV tonight at 9pm.
