LONDON: England coach Andy Flower has said that reaching the coveted number one spot in the world Test rankings is a sensational feeling.
“It feels simply sensational to claim the number one spot and it comes after a lot of hard training sessions and Test matches. It was a goal that spurred the whole side on and it’s very satisfying to have achieved that goal,” said Flower.
Flower guided England to number one Test spot after the home side comfortably thrashed India in the first three Tests of the four-match rubber.
The Zimbabwean also heaped praise on two ICC Awards 2011 nominees, Alastair Cook and James Anderson, for their noteworthy contributions.
While opener Cook has been instrumental in helping his side reach the top of the pile with his monumental career-best 294 last week at Edgbaston, pacer Anderson has been the pick of England’s attack, having already taken 18 wickets in the series.
“Cook has done some amazing things as a player in his 27 year on this earth. With already 19 Test centuries, he can be proud of a very successful career. He is a good person, modest but strong in his way and good for the dressing room and when he comes out to perform on the field too,” said Flower on this week’s ICC Cricket World Radio Show.
“James Anderson has got a lot better over the last few years. His learning as a bowler has accelerated. He has had a couple of nice bowling coaches in Ottis Gibson and now David Saker and also a nice group of bowlers to work with.
“The group talks a lot and works together and creates pressure. Our bowling depth looks ok but I would be reticent to get too starry-eyed about everything. We cannot rest on our laurels,” said the former Zimbabwe captain turned coach.
Meanwhile, India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel, who had missed out on a Test berth for the ongoing series but was included in the 16-man Indian squad for the one-off T2O and ODI series against England beginning August 31, said, “It will be a good challenge for me as I have not played in England since 2005.”
“To be prepared for English conditions you’ve got to tighten your game since the ball swings around a lot,” said the Gujarat player. (PTI)