Flower named ECB Team Director

Date released: 15 April 2009

Andy Flower has been named as the new England Team Director in an ECB press conference at Lord's.

Flower: Named new England Team Director at Lord's Current MCC World Cricket Committee member Flower described the job as a "Huge honour" adding: "There are big decisions to make and a lot of hard work to be done."

Flower's first Test in full-time charge of England will be at Lord's on May 6-10, against West Indies. Tickets and hospitality places are still available.

"When I went on the West Indies tour I wasn't sure if I wanted to apply for the job." Flower said.

"There was such upheaval prior to the tour I wanted to see how things would settle. How it would be being the interim leader.

"Halfway through the tour I made up my mind and did apply.

"It's not going to be an easy year but it's very exciting. One of the things that excites me most about taking this job on is the challenge it represents.

"I'm confident I can do this job. If I wasn't I wouldn't have applied."

Asked about the Ashes Series this summer, Flower said: "They're ranked far ahead of us, we're underdogs. There's a little time before the Ashes. We have to play well and take that momentum into the Ashes.

"We've got to make good efficient use of our time. Straussy [Andrew Strauss] gets home from holiday tomorrow and we'll be planning our way forward."

Morris: 'We believe we have the right man' ECB Managing Director, Hugh Morris was asked about the appointment process, during which the ECB used head-hunters:

"We felt that the approach the head-hunters had would get us down to a shortlist of the world's best and that's what happened.

"30 people applied for the post originally. We narrowed it down but I won't reveal who was on the short-list. We believe we've got the right man for the job.

"Andy was a world-class batsman and we believe he'll be a world-class coach.

"His key qualities are: honesty and integrity - he has a clear vision of where he wants to take the England cricket team.

"He's a young man who impressed with his work in the West Indies. He's the man for the job in the short-term and the long-term.

Asked if Flower's job was safe should England lose the Ashes this summer. A smiling Morris replied:

"We've had enough instability this winter. It's been a tough time. We're very pleased with the appointment of Andy."

Honorary Member

Flower was made an Honorary Life Member of MCC in 2003, after he and Zimbabwe team-mate Henry Olonga took, in the words of then MCC President (now Club Chairman) Charles Fry,: "a principled stand against an appalling regime".

Flower is also a founding Member of the MCC World Cricket Committee.

Strong bond: Strauss is believed to support Flower's appointment He has formed a strong bond with England captain Andrew Strauss and it is understood Strauss has been a strong advocate for the Zimbabwean.

Flower initially joined the England coaching staff when he was made assistant coach to Peter Moores in 2007.

After Moores' sudden departure from the England set-up in January this year (in the fall-out which also saw Kevin Pietersen lose the captaincy) Flower was appointed interim coach for the tour of the West Indies.

It was a mixed tour for England who lost the Test series but won the one-day series.