Andrew Strauss lauds the man behind the scenes after crushing Ashes win
After an astonishing win in the Ashes series the English captain has set his sights on gaining the tag of the best team in the world in the longest format of the game. Strauss feels that the crushing 3-1 win over the Aussies was made possible
by the determination of a squad that was focused and had the vision of beating the best in the business, that too away from home.
An important member who played a pivotal role in the background is English team Director http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flower-c44362 who worked out a brilliant strategy that was executed to perfection by Strauss and his men.
The low keyed former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 batsman who was regarded as one of the finest in the business in the 1990’s and early part of the current century took over the reins of English cricket almost two years ago.
Despite the win, Strauss has his feet planted on the ground claiming that the team had seen similar highs in the past especially the 2005 epic Ashes series at home, yet from there on they failed to play consistently; he hopes that the
entire squad would continue to perform the way they have done in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
He added that the management was also playing a big part in the success of the team.
"In the 18 months leading up to 2005 we had had a similar situation where all 11 guys were contributing all the time and that doesn't happen all that often, although you'd love it to," said Strauss. "When it does happen you tend to think,
well, we can keep doing this forever, and that is the one hint of caution for us: there are going to be tough times ahead, we are not going to win by an innings every time we play and we have to keep striving to get better because if we don't other teams will
pass us."
"The management team is always here an hour before we turn up, making sure practice is going to work as smoothly as possible," added Strauss. "He's not doing this job for accolades; he's doing it because he desperately wants England to
improve. When he finally does finish he can look back and say 'I was part of something pretty special'."
Strauss had special praise for Flower who he claims is one guy he has immense respect for as he is the driving force in the dressing room, the opener stressed that a coach like Flower can turn around the fortunes of any team.
"He's been immense. He's been incredible," said Strauss. "Andy Flower is a guy we all respect a lot for what he's achieved and how he holds himself in the dressing room. Often you can't describe what he brings to the side, because it's
just a multitude of little things. Little conversations he has with people, little thoughts he puts onto paper that he actually puts into practice. The way he works with the backroom staff is as good as I've seen in county and international cricket."
Whilst the English team celebrates their astounding success, Strauss is keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the future after etching his name in the annals of the game with arguably the greatest triumph by a touring team on Australian soil.
He is gracious in his praise of his team-mates and team management and at this rate the English team has every chance in the world to become as good a team as the Aussies of the 1990’s and the first decade of 2000.
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