Andy Flower has signed a new contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to stay on as the team director.
Flower, a former Zimbabwe captain, has had a successful stint with the English team since taking over from Peter Moores in January 2009. Under him, England recorded successive Ashes series wins and also claimed the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
Flower is understandably delighted and said the side is determined to realise their objective of becoming the No.1 side.
'I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to build on the considerable progress we have made to date as a squad and remain fully committed to developing the side and ensuring we are in a position to realise our objective of becoming the No.1 side in the world,' Flower, who is preparing the side for the home series against Sri Lanka, India and Ireland, was quoted as saying in the Guardian.
'When I was appointed England team director in 2009, I stated that I wanted to create a winning England team and I am very pleased with the advances we have made as a squad over the last two years in all formats of the game,' Flower said.
'Regaining the Ashes in 2009 and retaining them last winter and the 2010 World Twenty20 title are obvious highlights, but there is still plenty more we want to achieve in the longer term,' he added.
'We have made no secret of our determination to become the No.1 side in the world and challenge for global titles and I feel we have been making steady progress. I firmly believe we have the talent amongst the playing squad and management team to help us realise our ambitions, and am looking forward to testing ourselves against quality opposition this summer and beyond.'
The ECB said Flower will be on a permanent contract.
'Andy Flower has made a huge impact during his time as England team director and I am delighted that he has committed to the role and will be continuing to build on the considerable progress the England team has made during his time in the position,' said ECB managing director Hugh Morris. Source
