Adil Rashid: Andrew Flintoff pays tribute to 'best in the business' after 100th England T20I start

Andrew Flintoff told Adil Rashid he "epitomises everything that England cricket is about" after presenting the leg-spinner with a cap to mark his 100th T20 international match.

Flintoff is continuing his ad hoc role as a team mentor for England in their five T20s against the West Indies and, ahead of the series opener, he spoke glowingly of Rashid before his landmark appearance.

In the team huddle before England's four-wicket loss in Barbados, Flintoff recalled his first memories of a then 20-year-old Rashid when they were at opposite ends of their playing careers in late 2008.

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Rashid, now 35, has since gone on to establish himself as one of the finest white-ball bowlers of his era, helping England win both ODI and T20 World Cup trophies.

But Flintoff also shone a light on the work Rashid does away from the field, including mentoring the next generation at his academy in Yorkshire and the advice he doles out to spinners of all ages.

"I remember you coming into the side as this young lad, full of mystery, full of wonder, full of mischief and loads and loads of ability," Flintoff said in a video released by the ECB.

"Over the years, everyone in this group: myself and anybody who's played with you has been so proud at how you've gone about your business - a multiple World Cup winner, the best in the business at what you do around the world but more importantly, Rash, you as a person.

"You're such an integral part of this squad and the other thing is you give back, whether it's in Bradford with your academies [or] the other day I saw you spending all this time with a leg-spinner, a young kid, and just coaching him. To me that is just as important as everything else you do.

"To me, you epitomise everything that England cricket is about. It's a privilege for me to tour with you, it's a privilege for me to give you this cap. So Rash, come and get this cap, [it is] 100 but you've not stopped yet, there's plenty more in you. Well done, son."

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During the English summer, Flintoff presented Tom Hartley with his maiden England cap, telling his fellow Lancastrian: "This will change your life forever."

Rashid backs "younger brother" Rehan to thrive in England fold

Rashid likened England team-mate Rehan Ahmed to a "younger brother" and is relieved the teenager would probably not have to endure the pitfalls he did in his early years.

England selected both frontline leg-spinners in their T20 series opener against the West Indies in Barbados and were vindicated as the pair shared five of the home side's six wickets to fall.

Rashid thinks he relies more on flight and variations, while reckoning Ahmed bowls quicker, but insists the duo could end up dovetailing in England's T20 World Cup defence next year in the Caribbean and United States if they continue to impress in tandem.

"That's way down the line," Rashid said. "There's a lot of cricket yet to be played. Myself and Rehan are going to keep coming out, try to do the best we can and leave the rest to the selectors.

"But I definitely look at him as a younger brother. He's 19. He's got his own journey. We're completely different bowlers. He's got the tricks. He's got the ability and he's got the confidence.

"We're always talking; just keeping it simple, enjoying it and let nature take its course. The more he plays and the more experience he gets, things will get better for him."

Rashid first earned England recognition in 2009 but leg-spin was still a distrusted art at the time and he was quickly left out for several years. It was only through careful nurturing during Eoin Morgan's transformative captaincy of England's white-ball sides from 2015 onwards that Rashid got back in.

"As time's gone on, it's definitely got a lot better in that sense and people understanding more about leg-spin which is a great thing," Rashid added. "It's completely different from 2009, times have moved on. You always learn as time goes on, you always develop and with Rehan now, with what he's doing, hopefully he can develop as he is."

What's next for England?

England, 1-0 down in the five-match series, head to Grenada for back-to-back matches on Thursday and Saturday (both starting at 5.30pm GMT). They then move to Trinidad and Tobago for the final two fixtures on December 19 and December 21, both 10pm starts. Stream Sky Sports with NOW.