Taibu believes Flower will flourish

Zimbabwe's wicketkeeper and former captain, Tatenda Taibu, believes that Andy Flower's natural leadership qualities will come to the fore now that he has been confirmed as England's full-time coach.

Taibu was one of the first players to have experienced Flower's coaching techniques, having been mentored by him while still a pupil at Churchill Boys High School in Harare, and he has retained a debt of gratitude for that guidance all throughout his career.

"Andy is someone who, if he is interested in something, he gives it his all," Taibu told Cricinfo. "When I made the national team, Andy taught me to practice properly, taught me how to look after my finances and how to approach games.

"On the field he was without doubt the first to read the situation for the rest to follow suit. When he opened up his mouth to speak, all would listen anticipating that the pathfinder would unfold the plan to victory."

Though he has since lost the role after falling out with the board, Taibu followed in Flower's footsteps when he was named Zimbabwe's captain, at the tender age of 20, in April 2004.

"I believe that only leaders are able to spot future leaders," said Taibu. "I became the youngest Test captain in the history of the game and I owe part of that to him.

"When we talked about captaincy, he kept saying: 'When you become captain you must be able to do this, this and the other. I've made these mistakes in the past so when attacked with such a situation, so you ought to face it head on in this manner.'"