CRICKET:Andy Flower is handing over responsibility for England's one-day and Twenty20 sides, with Ashley Giles named as head coach by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) yesterday.

Flower will continue as England team director and will remain in charge of the Test team but will however take a back seat in limited-overs cricket after five years at the helm.

Giles, an England selector since 2008, will take charge of the side for the first time on the tour of India and New Zealand in January and February.

Flower, 44, said part of the reason for the change was to spend more time with his family, having been present at virtually every England Test and one-day match since taking the role.

Flower is currently in India where England are level with their hosts at 1-1 after two matches of a four-Test series.

Giles, a member of the 2005 Ashes-winning side, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed England ODI and T20 head coach and to be given an opportunity to coach at international level.

“I have worked closely with Andy in recent years as a selector and am looking forward to continuing to work together and to build on the progress that has been made.”