I am very proud of my brother Andy: Grant

[CrimsonAvenger]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spor ... 510813.cms

NAGPUR: Flower brothers Andy and Grant played together for more than a decade for Zimbabwe with aplomb. The duo was the mainstay of their team during their playing career.

Andy achieved a lot as wicketkeeper-batsman at the international level and at one time was the No. 1 batsmen in Test cricket. After retirement, he went on to become the successful coach and guided England to famous Ashes win recently in Australia.

Following the footsteps of his elder brother, Grant has also decided to become coach and became the batting coach of Zimbabwe. The 40-year-old Grant, who retired from all forms of cricket just last month, wants to be as successful as his elder brother by taking Zimbabwe to another level.

The most capped player for Zimbabwe (67 Tests and 221 ODIs), Grant spoke exclusively to TOI on Wednesday.

Excerpts:

What are your thoughts on Andy's achievement as coach?

I am very proud of Andy. He has done very well. He has some very good players at his disposal. They have an excellent record under his coaching. Hopefully, England carry on and play good cricket in future.

What is the secret of Andy's success?

I think England have benefited a lot by having Andy as their coach. He is a very honest person. He got good work ethics and I think he has developed those qualities in England side. He has developed a good culture. But at the end of the day it's players who have gone to the field and performed.

Have you got any plans to join your brother?

Not presently. I am enjoying my role in Zimbabwe. But I played six very enjoyable years with Essex. I have met lot of good people along the way. If things don't work out in Zimbabwe for whatever reason in the future then that always remains an avenue if one want to.

What is your role as Zimbabwe batting coach?

My role with the side will be basically to improve our batsmen. Our batsmen are not doing well at the moment. I think it is all about pressure and handling the situation well. I have got talent in the side. The guys just got to learn how to deal with the pressure better. There is lot of potential and hopefully those things will happen.

Fragile batting line-up must be making your job more difficult?

Our batting is little fragile and that makes my job more difficult. This situation poses lots of challenges before me but that's why I am employed. Hopefully guys can rise to the challenges. I can facilitate the change to make them better players. So when they go on to bat they feel confident mentally, physically and technically so that they can perform their duties.

Who are the batsmen you are relying on in World Cup?

Every batsmen I want to rely on because that's why they have been picked to play the World Cup. Brendan Taylor probably got the most experience and he's got the best results. Taibu has played lot of cricket and in decent form then there are some good upcoming players. Captain Elton Chigumbura got a brilliant century yesterday (against Ireland). Hopefully, he is coming to some good form.

Which are the areas you are looking to improve?

I have to work on better techniques in the nets. At international cricket, game is played in the mind. Some players got to learn to hit in the gaps, while some have to learn to play the Power Plays well. Batsmen should know how to deal with reverse swings. In Asian conditions, you have to be good players of spin. There are lot of aspects to be a good batsmen in the subcontinent.

Are you also helping out the left-arm spinners too?

I am also guiding left-arm spinners. Luckily, we have an excellent spinner in Ray Price. He has played lot of cricket himself so he is doing a mentoring with the youngsters. When I see any bowler needs my help, I share my experience with them.

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

At present India has its strongest ever side and its greatest ever champion. Only the smug will assume that another Sachin Tendulkar and another Virender Sehwag wait at every street corner in every village in that vast and sprawling location. History indicates that these are exceptional talents and extraordinary entertainers. Quite possibly they are as irreplaceable as Brian Lara and Andy Flower.

Peter Roebuck finally acknowledges King Flower
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