The successful partnership between then coach Duncan Fletcher and skipper Michael Vaughan was a key factor in England's 2005 Ashes triumph on home soil. But since then relations between the England coach and captain have not always been so smooth.

In January, Kevin Pietersen was stripped of the captaincy after a falling out with Peter Moores that cost the now Lancashire coach his position with the England squad.

Opening batsman Strauss was thrust into the captaincy while Flower, previously Moores's assistant, took temporary charge behind the scenes.

Initially uncertain about whether he wanted to become the England team director, Flower eventually applied for the post and was appointed after overseeing a narrow 1-0 Test series loss and equally close 3-2 one-day campaign victory in the West Indies.

His first series in permanent charge saw England whitewash the West Indies, a 10-wicket first Test win at Lord's followed by an innings and 83 run victory wrapped up at the Riverside on Monday.

Flower knows England are likely to face a far tougher examination when Australia, who won the last edition of the Ashes 5-0, arrive in Cardiff for their series opener in July.

Character appears to have been the watchword regarding those young players given a Test chance under Flower, with Ravi Bopara making centuries at Lord's and the Riverside against the West Indies while pace bowler Graham Onions took 10 wickets in the two matches.

Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan also impressed with the ball and, with all-rounder Andrew Flintoff waiting in the wings as he recovers from a knee injury, Flower believes England are on track.

"I think we can win the Ashes, yes," said Flower. "We'll have to play very well and we'll have to be strong over a long period of time but, yes, I do believe we can win them."

In left-handed opener Strauss he believes England have the right man to lead them in their quest to regain the Ashes from Ricky Ponting's side.

"He's rock-solid for us as a leader. He is our front-man and I think the guys are enjoying him as a leader. I think he's strong, he's honest, he's fair, he's ambitious and I think he's got a very clear vision of what he wants from the England team," said Flower.