Simon Hughes follows Andrew Flintoff in and around the hills of Bolton, with Dave 'Rooster' Roberts, as he continues to prepare for strapping on his bowling boots again.
Roberts, who cajoled Ian Botham back to fitness after a back operation in 1988, leads the way. Having lived in the area since boyhood, it is very much his territory. Flintoff, eight weeks after ankle surgery, follows gamely behind. The undulating, uneven terrain would be a good test of a mountain goat never mind a 100kg cricketer in rehab. He exhibits no discomfort as we skirt the water and climb the first of several wooded slopes. Everything is tailored to cricket-specific fitness, so we canter for three minutes, then walk for three, in keeping with a fast bowler's normal match cycle.
We stop at the foot of a steep incline and Flintoff and Wyatt race each other up it three times. The lack of an obvious spring in his step belies Flintoff's power: he wins each time.
We weave through the trees and stiles, running, walking. There is little banter. Just the occasional "off we go again!" from Roberts. Having worked together now for three years, there's an innate understanding between the two men.
