* Flower named new England Head coach
* Flower looks forward to challenging cricket season
(adds quotes)
By Martyn Herman
LONDON, April 15 - Former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper
Andy Flower was handed the responsibility of trying to restore
England's reputation and regain the Ashes on Wednesday after
being named as the new team director.
Flower was confirmed as England's head coach at a news
conference at a sun-kissed Lord's after impressing the England
and Wales Cricket Board (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 told reporters.
"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.
RIGHT MAN
"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.
(Eiting by Pritha Sarkar; to query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)