Flintoff eyes rare red-ball chance in 'A' tour finale

Tess Flintoff is soaking up a rare red-ball opportunity as Australia A look to end their tour of India on a winning note.

The Victoria allrounder is set to feature in a four-day 'A' match, now being held at Mohali's IS Bindra Stadium due to the impact prolonged rainfall had on the original venue in Dharamshala.

This all-format tour, which also featured three T20s and three one-dayers, has been Flintoff's first taste of Indian conditions, and first opportunity to work alongside assistant coaches Mick Delaney and Cameron Boyce – while also giving her the chance to reconnect with new Renegades coach – and Australia assistant – Gavan Twining.

"I've absolutely loved it," Flintoff told cricket.com.au in the lead-up to the red-ball game.

"I feel like we've got such a great 'A' group, a great bunch of girls that all just want to get better, so it's a pretty cool environment to be part of, and then working with some new coaches as well … it's been really cool to pick their brains.

"Conditions-wise, it's quite different to Australia in terms of the bounce and spin, and (then there's) all those incidental conversations you have with people, and Boycey's been a good one actually, he's been giving us some cool ideas.

"He's played over here a few times, so it's been really cool to have him on the tour, and just chatting with the girls around plans and having to adapt on the run, because it's not the bouncy wickets that you get in Australia ... it's been a real learning curve."

Flintoff was crowned Victoria's best player last WNCL season and was a bright spark in a winless campaign for the state, topping their run scoring with 347 at 43.37 alongside her nine wickets.

However, she said it had been a "bittersweet" honour to receive, adding she "would have much rather be winning a few more games and celebrating a title".

The 23-year-old also dropped off the national contract list in April after one year with a CA deal, but said she had soaked up the experience, and now hoped those lessons, combined with the momentum gained off appearing in the T20 Max followed by the 'A' tour, would set her up for a successful 2026-27 summer.

"I loved that year and took a lot of learnings from it and will hopefully put those learnings into play this year," Flintoff said.

"I's nice to still be working on a few things and figuring stuff out before the season kicks off in Australia … it's been nice actually working with Mickey (Delaney) – he's had a few ideas, just with a few little (bowling) cues that I can change.

"With the bat, just trying to get after it a bit more, keep trying to hit the ball hard – that's what my batting coach at home, Blake Reed, is trying to drill into me at the moment.

"Nothing too crazy technically, but it's more so just that consistency piece that I feel like I've spoken about for a few years now in games, trying to nail that down at training as much as I can, and hopefully it reflects in the games.

"I'm just really excited to be out there playing cricket ... I was lucky enough that this 'A' tour popped up, and then I just want to play some good consistent cricket with Victoria, and hopefully help them win as many games as I can."

The Australia A XI will be led by Tasmania batter Rachel Trenaman, who is taking the reins after Nicole Faltum and Tahlia Wilson skippered the T20 and one-day legs respectively.

Faltum and Wilson will split 'keeping duties 50/50 through the four-day game, taking the gloves for one innings apiece.

While the final Australia A XI has yet to be confirmed, Flintoff could line up in a pace attack alongside fellow Victorian Milly Illingworth, with tough calls to be made by selectors from the 13-strong touring party. Quicks Tayla Vlaeminck and Darcie Brown have returned home following the third one-day game, as planned.

"I absolutely love red-ball cricket," Flintoff said. "I've been lucky enough to be involved in a few games now, whether it's the 'A' games or the Green v Gold set-ups.

"You get to day three and four, and it can be a bit of a grind, especially here in the heat we're not going to know what's hit us, to be honest.

"But that's all part of it, just trying to grind through that.

"Tren's leading us for the four-day game, so I'm looking forward to working under her, she's got a great cricket mind.

"It's always it's always pretty satisfying when you get to the to the back end, and hopefully we can get over the line."

Australia A tour of India 2026 – women

Australia A squad: Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Milly Illingworth, Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Frankie Nicklin, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Rachel Trenaman, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson, Tayla Vlaeminck

First T20: Australia A won by six wickets

Second T20: Australia A won by 30 runs

Third T20: Australia A won by seven runs

First one-dayer: India A won by four wickets

Second one-dayer: Australia A won by two wickets

Third one-dayer: India A won by four wickets

Four-dayer: September 29 – October 2, IS Bindra Stadium, 2pm AEST