By CricketCountry Staff
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Grant Flower says his brother Andy Flower, the England team director and coach will have a huge influence in the upcoming ODI series.
Published: Oct 13, 2011, 01:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 13, 2011, 01:30 PM (IST)
Andy Flower scored 540 runs in two Tests he played in India in late 2000 © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Mumbai: Oct 13, 2011
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Grant Flower says his brother Andy Flower, the England team director and coach will have a huge influence in the upcoming ODI series.
“His presence and knowledge of Indian conditions will have quite a big bearing on the English side’s performance (in this series). He can teach the batsmen how to execute the subtle sweeps, use the face of the bat, not over hit the cricket ball, and also how to build stamina bat for long periods,” Flower, who is presently working as Zimbabwe batting coach told MiD DAY.
“On our first tour of India (in 1993), we learnt a lot about playing spin from our skipper Dave Houghton. I remember Andy used to spend hours of time in the afternoon sun and tell our spinners to bowl at him,” he added.
Andy enjoyed great success in India as a player, scoring 820 runs from five Tests on Indian soil including a career-best knock of 232 at Nagpur in November 2000.
Andy scored 540 runs in two Tests he played in India in late 2000. He was known to be a good player of the fast bowling, be on that tour, he managed to put pressure on Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
Grant recalled, “He perfected the sweep shot and made very good use of sub-standard pitches (during practice) and used to ask the coach for more practice. He understood that batting in India was about spending time at the crease. But it wasn’t as easy for us like it was for him.”
Grant said the playing conditions have changed in India. “The wickets have gotten flatter over the years. These days, the pitches are similar everywhere in one-day cricket. Many overseas batsmen have figured out how to play spin,” said Grant.
He added, “The Indians are strong at home but it will be a very good series. England have their tails up and will be up for it,” he said.
