There is almost as much delight at Hove this week at the appointment of England's new assistant coach as there was when Peter Moores got the top job.

Andy Flower has never played for Sussex but he has strong connections with the county.

Chief executive Gus Mackay played one-day international cricket alongside Flower for Zimbabwe while fast bowler James Kirtley counts the 39-year-old among his closest friends, having first played with him for Eastbourne in the Sussex League 11 years ago.

And both are convinced former Sussex coach Moores has made a great appointment.

Kirtley said: "I think it's the dream team for English cricket. Not only was Andy an outstanding international cricketer, he is also a really good coach. The two of them are going to complement each other well."

His views are echoed by Mackay.

"I've known Andy since he was 14 and we played club, first-class and international cricket together in Zimbabwe.

"It's a really good appointment for English cricket and I'm really pleased for him personally. He's a great communicator and has fantastic mental strength as well."

Flower had already played international cricket for seven years when he was persuaded to play league cricket for Eastbourne in 1996 by Richard Halsall, captain at the time and now a member of the Sussex coaching staff.

The following winter Kirtley and Flower were team-mates for Mashonaland in Zimbabwe when Kirtley, who was only 21 at the time, made his big breakthrough by taking 7-88 against Mike Atherton's touring England team.

They were on opposite sides when Kirtley made his England debut five years later and have remained firm friends ever since. Flower's record in international cricket is outstanding.

In 63 Tests, 20 of them as captain, he scored 4,794 runs at an average of 51 and averaged 35 in 213 one-day internationals. Those statistics compare favourably with other great batsmen of his generation.

But it should not be forgotten that Flower also played in the weakest of the Test-playing nations and kept wicket.

Kirtley added: "One of the things which was pointed out when Peter was appointed was that he didn't have any international experience.

"But Andy has. He has played all around the world and knows what it takes to succeed in different conditions.

"I've seen him a few times at Loughborough since he started helping out at the Academy and to me it looks like the perfect fit."

Flower has been working at the Academy since 2005, a year after he retired from international cricket.

His appointment takes immediate effect and he will be alongside Moores as England prepare for the first Test against West Indies at Lord's which starts a week tomorrow.

Moores will undoubtedly tap into his international experience but Flower also knows a lot about English players too having played for Essex since 2005. He said: "It was great news for me when Andy accepted the job and I feel he will have a significant impact in the future.

"He will bring a wealth of experience as well as a clear understanding of the domestic game.

"For the past two seasons he has done an excellent job as a specialist batting coach at the Academy and I am sure the players will respond to his style and enjoy working with him."

Flower is clearly relishing the challenge of working at international level.

He said: "Peter was an inspired choice as England coach and I hold him in the highest regard."