Flower, coaching director of the English team, helped the team reach its highest position in the Reliance International Cricket Council Rankings table in 32 years.
This followed an impressive victory over rivals India in a series of Test matches mid-August.
“It feels simply sensational to claim the number-one spot and it comes after a lot of hard training sessions and Test matches. It was a goal that spurred the whole side on and it is very satisfying to have achieved that goal,” he said in an interview from his England base.
He heaped praise on key players, among them Alastair Cook and James Anderson who were pivotal in the victory against India.
“Cook has done some amazing things as a player in his 27 year on this earth. With already 19 Test centuries, he can be proud of a very successful career. He is quite hungry for success and has a strong character. He is a good person, modest but strong in his way and good for the dressing room and when he comes out to perform on the field too. Anderson has got a lot better over the last few years. His learning as a bowler has accelerated. He has had a couple of nice bowling coaches in Ottis Gibson and now David Saker and also a nice group of bowlers to work with. The group talks a lot and works together and creates pressure. Our bowling depth looks ok but I would be reticent to get too starry-eyed about everything.”
Flower was Zimbabwe's wicketkeeper for more than 10 years and statistically is by far the finest batsman the country has fielded. He was appointed director of coaching of the English side in 2009.
Post published in: Cricket