Andy Flower Handed Technical Director Role by ECB

Former England coach Andy Flower has been appointed technical director of elite coaching by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Flower, 45, stood down as England team director after five years following the dismal 5-0 Ashes whitewash but will immediately assume his new role at the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough.

"I see this as a great opportunity for me as I start a new phase of my career," Flower said in a statement released by the ECB.

"I am particularly excited about the chance to build and mould a leadership course which is not simply about captaincy but much more.

"His role offers me a chance to make a real contribution to the ability and character of England players and coaches in the years to come."

The ECB's managing director Paul Downton was quick to point of Flower's success over the last five years, which included three Ashes series, as a fundamental reason behind his appointment.

"Not only will Andy work with both players and coaches but he will also look to enhance the relationship between the county coaches and the England set-up. He will also work with Level 3 and 4 coaches in the ECB coaching structures.

"His record over the last five years speaks for itself and the ECB and Andy are excited about the future.

"Andy wil also build on the highly successful ECB Coach and Talent Development Programmes which have seen players such as Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, to name a few, graduate to England senior teams as well as a number of coaches from first-class counties who have been involved with the England Lions.

"The role will also involve researching the World's Best Practice in Coaching and Performance, drive and implement innovation in Coaching Practice and Technology, with and through the Fellowship of Elite Coaches and the National Cricket Performance Centre as well as recommending developments within ECB Coach Education and CPD Programmes."