It has truly been an exceptional couple of years for The England Cricket Team culminating in last night’s triumph as they were named Team of the Year at the 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, the third time in seven years they have won this prominent award following 2005 and 2009 victories.
As well as this well-deserved accomplishment, Team Director Andy Flower became the first England Cricket Coach to win the BBC SPOTY Coach of the Year award since this category was first introduced by the broadcaster in 1999.
Shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award were England Test Captain Andrew Strauss and One-Day captain Alastair Cook, again demonstrating how accomplished this England side is.
Commenting on the awards, ECB Chief Executive David Collier said: “The awards to the England team and Andy Flower are richly deserved and reflect a tremendous twelve months which has seen the team become the world’s number one ranked Test side in the Reliance ICC World Test rankings and win an Ashes series in Australia for the first time since 1986-87. Our congratulations go to all the players and the team management.”
Commenting on the award to Andy Flower, ECB Managing Director – England Cricket, Hugh Morris said: “This is one of the most sought-after awards in British sport and we are delighted that Andy’s outstanding leadership of the team has been recognised in this way. He is a world-class coach whose outstanding man management skills and tactical nous played a huge role in ensuring that 2011 was a year to remember for the England team.”
