Flower turns attention to top spot

Andy Flower reiterated his commitment to making England the best side in world cricket after agreeing a new contract to remain in his role as team director.

The 43-year-old joined the England set-up as assistant coach in May 2007 and became interim team director early in 2009 before taking up the job on a permanent basis in April that year on a rolling contract. He has overseen a revival in England's fortunes over the past two years, guiding the team to two Ashes series victories and 2010 World Twenty20 glory.

And Flower, who was linked with the job of India coach until the appointment of Duncan Fletcher last month, does not want the progress to stop there, saying: "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to build on the considerable progress we have made to date as a squad."

He added: "I 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 number one 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."