Andrew Flintoff is sent messages of support from former team-mate Kevin Pietersen and Piers Morgan after the ex-England cricketer was seen for the first time since his near-fatal Top Gear crash nine months ago

Kevin Pietersen and Piers Morgan were amongst those to welcome Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff back following his return to cricket.

On Friday Flintoff was seen for the first time since he was involved in a horror crash on BBC’s Top Gear nine months ago which almost killed him.

Flintoff’s facial injuries from the crash were visible as he was seen working with the England team ahead of their defeat to New Zealand.

Pietersen, who was part of England’s Ashes-winning side in 2005 along with Flintoff, was delighted to see his former team-mate back involved in cricket.

Pietersen posted a picture of Flintoff and wrote: ‘Freddie BACK!!!!’ along with six heart emojis.

Flintoff made his return to cricket following his near-fatal car crash last November

Flintoff’s facial injuries from the crash were visible as he was seen working with the England team 

Morgan also stated that it was ‘brilliant’ to see Flintoff back. 

Morgan wrote: ‘Brilliant to see ⁦Freddie @flintoff11⁩ back with the England team today, after that horrendous Top Gear car smash.’

Mail Sport’s David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd wrote: ‘Really , really pleased ! Great to have him back in the game’.

Flintoff crashed at 130mph in a three-wheeled open-top car, which did not have air bags.

He had to wait 45 minutes for an air ambulance to arrive. 

Flintoff quit Top Gear as a result of the incident and several members of staff who witnessed it signed off sick indefinitely as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Flintoff played in 79 Tests and 141 one-day internationals before retiring after England won the 2009 Ashes. 

Ahead of his return to work, Flintoff received encouragement from England managing director Rob Key and spent time working with the England Under-19 team.

The injuries that Flintoff suffered left him in hospital for five weeks. It is currently uncertain whether he will resume his television career.  

The TV host, pictured here with co-presenters Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness, had been filming the latest series of the show, which was due to be aired this autumn

The serious accident saw Flintoff quit Top Gear and several members of staff who witnessed it sign off sick indefinitely as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder

Pietersen expressed his delight at seeing his old team-mate Flintoff return to action