England pick Flower to assist Moores

Maynard, who worked under former coach Duncan Fletcher, will cease to work with the national side with immediate effect.

Flower, 39, has been playing for Essex but announced his retirement from playing in order to take up the position which follows on from his work as a batting coach with the academy.

Moores said: "Andy will bring to the support staff a wealth of international experience as well as a clear understanding of the domestic game in England and Wales.

"I am sure all the players will respond to his style and enjoy working with him."

Moores continued: "It was great news for me when it was confirmed that Andy had agreed to accept this appointment and I feel that he will have a significant impact in the future. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Matthew and wish him well in his future coaching commitments."

Moores also extended his thanks to Essex for co-operating in the early release of Flower, who will begin working with the side in time for the first Test of the summer, against the West Indies on May 17.

"Thanks to the co-operation which the board has received from Essex County Cricket Club, Andy will be joining up with the team for preparation for the first npower Test Match at Lord's next week and I am grateful to ECB and Essex CCC for moving so rapidly and enabling the back room team to be confirmed in time for my first match in charge of the England team."

Flower added: "I hold Peter Moores in the highest regard and congratulate him on his recent appointment as the England head coach. I believe that his selection as England head coach was an inspired choice and reflected well on his work and that of Rod Marsh prior to Peter in setting up the national academy.

"From my time working with Peter at the academy, I know that we shall work very well together and I am excited about entering into this new challenge of coaching an international team.

"I too would like to express my gratitude to Essex County Cricket Club who provided me with the opportunity to play county cricket and supported me so well in my development as a coach. I wish Graham Gooch, (captain) Ronnie Irani and the rest of the Essex team every success in the future."

Flower scored 16,379 first-class runs at an average of 54.05 including 4794 runs at 51.54 in 63 Tests. He also claimed 160 victims behind the stumps.

Outgoing assistant Maynard said: "It has been a great privilege and invaluable experience for me to work so closely with Duncan Fletcher, the rest of the management team and all the England players at the outset of my coaching career.

"Duncan is a great coach and I am particularly grateful to him for providing me with the opportunity to work as his assistant.

"We have operated very closely as a team and now that Duncan is moving on it is the right time for me also to move on to new coaching challenges."