Andrew Flintoff blames wanting 'bender with Botham' for being drunkenly stranded at sea

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has revealed that his famous encounter with a paddle boat or a pedalo during the 2007 Cricket World Cup had been a failed attempt to enjoy a nightcap with ex-skipper Ian Botham. Flintoff was fined and banned for one match by then-England coach Duncan Fletcher after the drunken incident in the Caribbean, in which he was rescued from the sea in the middle of the night.

Speaking in an interview to be broadcast on Friday, Flintoff explained that he had simply wanted a late-night drink with former England star Botham, Sport24 reported. Recounting how he found himself on the beach after a night of heavy drinking, Flintoff said that for some reason he had this idea these boats out to sea, it sounds bizarre, but he added that he knew Botham was on one boat and he thought that he is going to have a nightcap with the former skipper.

Flintoff said that he thought he cannot swim, and that would be dangerous. So he said that he was going to get a kayak. He added that he couldn't find the oars, so he dragged the pedalo into the water. Flintoff said that the next morning he woke up, he was on his bed, still wet and with sand between his toes. He added that then the door knocked and it had slats, and he thought it was the maid wanting to clean the room. The former all-rounder added that he asked the maid to come back, but it was the coach. He said that he pulled the slats down and answered the door, and then Fletcher just asked him to come to his room.