Gatting credits England’s Ashes success to Flower and Strauss

LONDON - Former England captain Mike Gatting Thursday attributed the national side’s success in retaining the Ashes to team director Andy Flower and said he along with captain Andrew Strauss has done a “magnificient” job in building a strong unit.

It was under Gatting’s captaincy that England last won the Ashes in Australia in 1986-87. And now under Strauss, England have a good chance to win again as they have taken a 2-1 lead in the series with the fifth and the final match starting Jan 2 in Sydney.

“Congratulations to all the England team and to Strauss, but not enough is said about the coach, who has done a magnificent job too,” Gatting was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

“Australia is a tough place to play cricket. They have excellent cricketers and conditions are not similar to what you get at home. They have a tough mentality and they play ruthless cricket, although this Australian side has not played particularly well, but it is a real triumph for Strauss and Flower who have put a great deal of time, thought and effort into getting what they wanted,” Gatting said.

“England are moving forward under them, there seems to be a real purpose to everything they do and the players they are working with are improving as cricketers.”

Flower took over as England team director in April 2009 from Peter Moores and straight away helped the team regain the Ashes by beating Australia 2-1 at home.