Flower Signs New Contract

English cricket has been handed a massive boost this morning with the news that Andy Flower has signed a new contract to remain as team director. It is expected that the details of the contract will be announced later today, but the main news is that Flower has committed to England.

The former Zimbabwe international will now look to continue the excellent progress he has made with the England team. Since taking over in 2009, he has enjoyed two Ashes wins and a World Twenty20 cup win. The next challenge for him is to guide England to top of the test rankings, a position India hold at the moment. With this in mind, it is very important that the English Cricket Board has tied Flower down to a new deal.

He had been linked with the position of India coach a while ago, but former England man Duncan Fletcher has been appointed in that role. The fact Flower was linked simply showed how big a reputation he has built for himself in the last couple of years. Prior to landing the role as England team director, Flower was widely respected for his time as a player, but he has now emerged as a fantastic motivator, tactician and leader.

His relationship with England skipper Andrew Strauss is fantastic and it the job he has done cannot be underplayed. Especially when you consider he came into the mix following the Kevin Pietersen captaincy debacle.

Those looking at betting bonus options regularly will agree that it was very important that Flower signed this deal ahead of a huge summer for England in their quest to become the best team in the world.

A test series with Sri Lanka is followed by the eagerly anticipated visit of India, a series that could determine how quickly Flower's men can move to the top of the world rankings.