Flower confirmed as England coach

Eurosport - Thu, 16 Apr 10:56:00 2009

Former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Andy Flower was confirmed as England's new team director by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

2009 Andy Flower - 0

Flower was confirmed as England's head coach at a sun-kissed Lord's after impressing the ECB hierarchy during a spell as interim coach on the difficult recent West Indies tour.

The 40-year-old, who played 63 tests for Zimbabwe and was an assistant coach with England for the past two years, replaces Peter Moores who was sacked in January after a breakdown in his relationship with former captain Kevin Pietersen.

"I'm delighted that Andy Flower has accepted the role of team director with immediate effect," the ECB's managing director Hugh Morris said.

"As a player Andy became ranked the number one batsman in the world and the ECB believe he has the vision, drive and ambition to be just as successful in his new post."

Flower said there were lots of big decisions and hard work needed at the start of an English summer that includes a home series against the West Indies starting next month, the Twenty20 World Cup and culminates against arch-rivals Australia.

"At the start of the West Indies tour I didn't know whether I wanted to apply for this job or not but halfway through I made my mind up that I did," said Flower, who once wore a black armband while playing for Zimbabwe in protest at the policies of the country's president Robert Mugabe.

"I'm ambitious for England cricket and very honoured to be given this position. I believe that the last three months will stand me in good stead."

Morris said there had originally been 30 applicants for the position but declined to say how many of those were interviewed for what is one of the top jobs in world cricket.

"We had a great deal of interest and were happy with the level of candidates but we believe we have the right man for the job. Andy was a world class cricketer and we believe he can become a world class coach."

Flower will have precious little time to bed in before the serious business begins. He must choose a captain for the Twenty20 World Cup, select the squad for the West Indies series and prepare England for the visit of Australia.

After the damaging fall-out of the Moores-Pietersen saga, however, he at least seems to have a good working relationship with regular England skipper Andrew Strauss, who will not take part in the Twenty20 World Cup.

"The relationship (with the captain) is very important," Flower said. "You don't need to get on perfectly or agree, in fact it helps if there is healthy debate.

"I respect Andrew as a very good cricketer and a very good captain so we are starting on the right note.

"It's not going to be an easy year but it will be a very exciting one. We have a little time to try and get some momentum going for the Ashes."

England's test series defeat in the Caribbean means they are languishing in sixth place in the ICC's test rankings.

Andy Flower factbox

STARTING OUT

* Born on April 28, 1968, in Cape Town. His family moved to Zimbabwe and he grew up playing cricket with younger brother Grant.

* Made his first-class debut in the 1986-87 season.

BRILLIANT DEBUTS

* Scored 115 not out against Sri Lanka on his one-day international debut for Zimbabwe at the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

* Later that year he made his test debut against India and made a dogged 59 not out against an attack including Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble.

* Ended up averaging 51.54 from 63 tests and 35.34 from 213 ODIs.

* Reached number one in the world batting rankings after several fine performances, most notably scoring 540 runs for only two dismissals on the 2000-01 two-test tour of India.

* His highest test score of 232 not out, still the highest by a wicketkeeper, came on that tour.

PROTEST

* Alongside Henry Olonga, protested against Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's regime at his team's opening 2003 World Cup match.

* After ending his international career in 2003, Flower took his family to England where he played for Essex.

* Played one season in South Australia, then returned to Essex to be joined by brother Grant. In 2005, the pair became the first brothers to score first-class centuries for the county in the same innings.

COACHING

* Injury ruled him out of the 2007 season and he retired from playing when he was offered the position of England's assistant coach.

* Appointed team director three months after former England coach Peter Moores was sacked.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 15 of 15

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  1. Well said billy.mckain. At last some coomon sense is­ voiced here.

    From Bobito, on Thu 16 Apr 5:35PM

  2. I think we should at least give this guy a chance , he­ was a very talented cricketer who succeded inspite of­ all that was going on back in Zimbabwe so that shows­ character which perhaps somew of these England­ cricketers might think about instead of always moaning­ they want to be home !! I accept there are too many­ guys getting what seems automatic places in the team ,­ especially Harmison , but Anderson is a real tryer and­ hasn't had much luck . A few years ago so0me clever­ coaches thought it a good idea to remodel his action­ and it made him much less threatening . It seems like­ he has gone back to his older action and has gained­ some pace again

    From W, on Thu 16 Apr 3:07PM

  3. England are the worst Test team in the world today.­ They have lost to every Test team even WI.

    Yet England­ selectors are impressed. England selectors want England­ to lose. The ECB gets paid by other Test teams for­ losing.

    So we see rubbish players like Anderson,­ Mahmood, Harmison, Bell, etc. selected again and again.­ These players are impressing the selectors by ensuring­ England lose.

    From ROOP, on Thu 16 Apr 11:23AM

  4. England Test­ Team:
    Strauss.
    Cook.
    Collingwood.
    Pieterson.
    Bopara­ (Unfairly dropped for scoring a century and for other­ unknown reasons).
    Prior.
    Broad.
    Flintoff. (He can't­ bat. So if he does not pick 4 wickets/match sack­ him.)
    Swann.
    Tremlett (No match-fixer­ Harmison).
    Hoggard (No sub-standard loser Anderson).

    From ROOP, on Thu 16 Apr 11:12AM

  5. I am angered by the uneducated comments from some­ English fans on this forum.Andy if I was you I would­ loose all matches,get sacked and get a huge payoff from­ these tossers.They always pay you know.Ask Duncan­ Fletcher.That is why everyone abuses their system and­ want to come here.They are a soft touch.To you bunch of­ lossers dissing Andy let me tell you something---they­ do not come tougher as a Rhodie.Twats

    From kenneth, on Thu 16 Apr 7:03AM

  6. off out tommorow to put some money on aussies to win­ ashes 5-0.until they pick in form players not just the­ ones on cushy contracts i-e harmison­ ,bell,vaughan,anderson ,sidebottom.these players wont­ frighten australia or anybdy else for that matter

    From skinnyhoskins, on Thu 16 Apr 5:36AM

  7. It makes me laugh that the english supporters insult­ Andy Flower when there's not one other person who­ wants to coach them and why would you.A little history­ lesson:- The first time Zimbabwe played England they­ were so busy insulting them that they got thrashed by­ them. Then they continued to get thrashed the next five­ times they played. Anyway Andy i hope you fail as these­ bunch of clowns are pathetic.!!

    From king penguin, on Thu 16 Apr 5:24AM

  8. I remember Andy signing my cap when I was in junior­ school. Was a great mentor and a huge influence in my­ schooling years. I am a huge fan and will give him my­ backing. Even though I think the english team is­ useless. But I believe Andy will put them in their­ place. No better man for the job.

    From James, on Thu 16 Apr 4:33AM

  9. A man used to losing in charge of a team of preverbial­ losers - it just gets worse and worse

    From Shottaway, on Thu 16 Apr 3:41AM

  10. poster no 5 it looks like he was the only one to apply­ for the job as another poster put it a cheap option­ lets see how he handles kp and his rather big ego.

    From Chris M, on Thu 16 Apr 1:18AM

  11. Having played alongside and against Andy, you are­ definately a far better person than England deserve, i­ fear they will just use you to excuse their spineless­ and gutless performances, you should never have put­ yourself forward to coach this pathetic group of­ loosers.

    From king penguin, on Thu 16 Apr 1:07AM

  12. Cant say as an England supporter that i am overjoyed­ with his appointment .

    From Chris M, on Thu 16 Apr 1:07AM

  13. cheap appointment , aint there anyone better than this­ joker

    From dunnr66, on Thu 16 Apr 1:02AM

  14. Without doubt the most underrated cricketer I have ever­ seen. This guy used to captain, keep wicket and bat at­ three for the weakest team in the world and still­ averaged over 50. And all the time he was having to­ battle the Mugabe appointed cricket authorities. The­ man is one of the hardest fighters in cricket history­ and just what England need right now.

    From Bobito, on Wed 15 Apr 11:25PM

  15. Come on Andy!!!You were one of Zimbabwe's finest­ and we hope this is just reward for your standing in­ the game.Long may it continue for you amd may the­ fickle English supporters rally behing you.

    From kenneth, on Wed 15 Apr 11:03PM
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