Flower stays on as England coach

Andy Flower will be staying on as England team director in a permanent capacity, after the ECB confirmed that he had renewed his contract following negotiations in the build-up to the 2011 home campaign against Sri Lanka and India.

Flower, who was first offered the role on a permanent basis in 2009, has overseen back-to-back Ashes victories at home and away, during which time the England team has risen from No. 6 in the ICC Test rankings to third behind India and South Africa.

Aside from the achievement of masterminding a first series win in Australia for 24 years, he also helped secure England's first global trophy in 2010, when they won the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

Flower's achievements ensured that he was a major target for the BCCI in their bid to replace their World Cup-winning coach, Gary Kirsten, a role that eventually went to his fellow Zimbabwean and predecessor as England head coach, Duncan Fletcher. Flower's reluctance to uproot his young family from their home in Stratford-upon-Avon was a factor in his decision, and by extending his staff contract, rather than offer him a fixed-term deal, the ECB hope to ensure he remains a part of the furniture for the foreseeable future.

Flower said: "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 number one side in the world.

"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. 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.

"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."

Although the terms of the contract have not been disclosed, it is understood that Flower lobbied hard for a clause permitting him to skip specific tours in a bid to avoid burn-out. He was heavily critical of an England winter itinerary which involved five months on the road with just three days at home between the tours of Australia and the subcontinent, and Hugh Morris, the England's team managing director, will be factoring such issues into the ECB's plans for their next four-year cycle of international commitments.

"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 Morris.

"Andy's outstanding leadership, commitment, and his open and honest approach have been key factors in the success the England squad has enjoyed over the last two years and I have no doubt that under his direction we will continue to see England improve as we strive to become the No. 1 side in the world in all formats of the game."