LONDON: Newly appointed England cricket coach Peter Moores wants to build a proud and dedicated national team alongside captain Alastair Cook.

Moores, who steered Lancashire to the County Championship title in 2011, succeeds Andy Flower, who resigned in January after the Ashes debacle in Australia.

Moores was to charge of Lancashire for the last time on Wednesday before leaving to take up his new role in the national set-up.

He previously led England between 2007 and 2009 but was sacked after being involved in a dispute with Test batsman Kevin Pietersen.

“It’s a sad day in some ways, it feels bit strange,” Moores told Sky Sports News. “I’ve been here for five years and I have loved every minute of it. I’m very excited about going to the new job but very sad to be leaving here.

“I think the challenge is always big. It’s a tough environment and England have had a tough winter. There will be some things to sort out and some things to keep. It’s about getting things simpler. Getting out on the park and playing some good aggressive cricket.

“To clarify exactly what Alastair [Cook] wants from his team is crucial and to make sure that matches the things that I am looking for is important.

“We will be trying to make a side that the nation are very proud of, that are committed to what they are doing. There are some exciting players, the Ben Stokes the Chris Jordans, and there is a lot of young talent out there.

“There is a chance for young players to come through and the more established players to take responsibility as the team moves forward,” Moores added.

Moores looks back on his five years at Old Trafford with pride, maintaining the county have taken huge strides both on and off the pitch.

“The club has gone through massive transition; the ground has changed, the team has changed, a load of youngsters have come through,” he stated. “My time has coincided with Glen Chapple becoming captain and he has been fantastic and I have had a great relationship with him and Mike Watkinson the director of cricket.

“Hopefully, we have moved back to producing local players. A lot of youngsters have come in; the staff is three-quarters lads that have come through the system. That’s credit to John Stanworth at the Academy and all the coaches.

“I have so many special memories, particularly from that Championship winning season. We won one game with four minutes to go and then coming back to the ground and meeting so many supporters who had waited a lifetime for that moment; that was when it really hit home,” Moores added.