STEVE Rhodes says he is already putting into practice some of the information he learnt from Andy Flower when on England Lions duty this winter since returning to Worcestershire.

The County's director of cricket is a vastly experienced coach in his own right but stressed the importance of always being willing to learn.

Rhodes spent two months working alongside Flower, the ECB's technical director of elite coaching, and took the opportunity to pick the brains of the former England head coach and the likes of Garry Kirsten and Graham Thorpe.

The County chief said: "We all do the job in different ways and so, whilst not getting away from your natural style, and everyone has got to stick to what they do best and what suits them best, it is always good to try and filter the right information or the way of doing things that other people do successfully.

"It is important to try and pick little snippets from different types of coaches.

"I didn't have to follow everything Andy did but certainly Andy, in his coaching style, has got areas that were particularly useful - although I won't go into detail - and for someone like me, already even in the short time back at Worcester, I've used a couple of areas that are his strengths.

"I always say to the lads 'your mind is like a parachute' in that if it is not open, it's not working - and you don't want a non-working parachute.

"Being open minded about learning in particular is absolutely crucial all of our guys and certainly our coaches and definitely myself.

"If we've got a closed mind towards learning, then we don't improve."

Rhodes was part of the coaching staff as the Lions defeated Pakistan 'A' 3-2 in the T20 Series and lost by the same margin in the 50 Over Series - both of which were staged in Dubai.

He said: "I've enjoyed it. It has come at a really good time for me, a really good experience to first of all experience a different role as an assistant coach, good to recognise what our guys go through as well.

"Great to work with the likes of Andy Flower, Gary Kirsten, Graham Thorpe, Chris Taylor and many other coaches that have actually been around over the two months.

"Then to work with a new group of players as well was good fun, again good learning, trying to pick their brains, trying to see how they work and also, why I love our lads to bits, it's quite nice to just have another perspective of the game through the players and coaches that were involved with the Lions.

"It's also great to be back with the Worcester boys and the Worcester coaches because we've got a very good thing going and hopefully the experience I've gained will hold us in good stead for Worcestershire."