By Charles Randall

16 April 2012

Few England coaches of the past could compare with Andy Flower for close association with club cricket. So it is particularly interesting that he should be running in the London Marathon on April 22 to raise money for charity.

Flower -- his 44th birthday arrives six days after the event -- will be joined on the day by Simon Woodard, a member of The Lord’s Taverners running in full cricket kit. Their combined effort is aimed at raising money for the Lord Taverners, Hope for Children and Factor 50, a patient support group for skin cancer sufferers.

Flower finished his professional playing career with Essex, but he spent years as a club professional with West Bromwich Dartmouth CC in the Birmingham & District League and with Heywood CC, of the Central Lancashire League. He produced an innings of 225 not out for West Bromwich at Stratford in 1996, the season after he first ventured successfully into first class coaching at Oxford University.

The Zimbabwean's notable impact at Oxford probably shaped his future. Few people from that era would be surprised he went on to take England to the top spot in the Test rankings and shape atttudes. His background was steeped in the club game in Harare, where amateur and international players mixed freely on the field and socially. There was no 'them' and 'us' divide.

The Lord’s Taverners is one of the UK’s leading youth sports and disability charities, last year donating over £3.25 million to help young people in sport, particularly those with special needs.

To support Andy Flower, visit www.justgiving.com/andy-flower

or text 'FLOW68 £10' to 70070 to donate £10.

A video message can be seen at http://www.cricketunited.co.uk/andy_flower