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General Sports News

Flower power for England

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 15/04/2009

Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower has been named as the new team director of the England national side.

The 40-year-old acted as interim coach during the recent tour of the West Indies, having filled the breach left by the sacking of Peter Moores following the trip to India.

Flower surprised betting pundits to beat off competition from the likes of Graham Ford, Mickey Arthur and Tom Moody and take the top job, having won the trust of new skipper Andrew Strauss in the Caribbean.

Flower said: "It is a great honour to be appointed to this role. I understand the history of cricket in this country and I am very proud to be given this responsibility.

"I am delighted to have been given the job, but I recognise that all the hard work is ahead of me. I want to create a winning England team."

The FIA International Court of Appeal have ruled that the cars of Brawn, Toyota and Williams are legal, following a protest against the three teams' rear diffusers.

An eight-hour hearing on Tuesday heard protests from Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull and BMW Sauber, after the FIA had initially ruled that the diffuser was legal.

A statement from the sport's governing body read: "The FIA International Court of Appeal have decided to deny the appeals submitted against decisions taken by the Panel of the Stewards on March 26 at the Australian Grand Prix and counting towards the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Based on the arguments heard and evidence before it, the court concluded that the stewards were correct to find that the cars in question comply with the applicable regulations."

In football, West Ham United have completed a permanent deal with Toulouse to sign left-back Herita Ilunga on a contract running until the summer of 2013.

The 27-year-old DR Congo international joins the Hammers for an undisclosed fee, having impressed while on loan at Upton Park this season, scoring twice in 33 appearances.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes that key defender Martin Laursen is unlikely to play again this season due to ongoing knee problems.

The 31-year-old Denmark international has been sidelined since early in January and has suffered several setbacks during his recovery, leading to O'Neill to admit that Laursen's campaign could be over.

In rugby union, England Saxons back-row forward Phil Dowson has decided to leave Newcastle Falcons and join Northampton Saints on a two-year contract.

The 27-year-old had spent the whole of his career to date at Kingston Park, but feels that the time is now right for a fresh challenge.

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