Ashes
Strauss praises Flower
2011-01-07 09:03
Sydney - Andrew Strauss on Friday paid tribute to the meticulous behind-the-scenes work of coach Andy Flower in masterminding England's Ashes series triumph over Australia.
One of the strengths of England's Ashes campaign was the thoroughness of preparation and strategies for each of the five Tests, often highlighting the disparity with the Australian operations.
Strauss said the work of Flower, 42, the former Zimbabwean Test batsman, was as good as he has seen in international cricket.
"He's been immense. He's been incredible," Strauss said.
"Andy Flower is a guy we all respect a lot for what he's achieved and how he holds himself in the dressing room.
"Often you can't describe what he brings to the side because it's just a multitude of little things, little conversations he has with people, little thoughts he puts onto paper that he actually puts into practice.
"The way he works with the backroom staff is as good as I've seen in county and international cricket."
Strauss said the taciturn Flower was not one for accolades.
"He's a guy that prefers to lurk in the shadows a bit. He's not good at smiling for a start so that would have been a bit of a hindrance to him," he said.
"The vast majority of the work he does is behind closed doors.
"I don't think he's doing this job for accolades, he's doing it because he desperately wants England to improve and so when he finally does finish he can look back and say that 'I was part of something pretty special.'"
Flower also had the personal trauma on tour of unscheduled skin surgery to remove a melanoma during the first Brisbane Test in November.
Flower was installed as interim team director in April 2009 following the departure of Peter Moores and was subsequently appointed full-time team director.