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SYDNEY. — England coach Andy Flower wants to continue in the job despite his side’s 5-0 Ashes cricket whitewash in Australia. England lost by 281 runs inside three days in Sydney on Sunday to complete one of their most humiliating overseas tours. Asked if he planned to stay the role he started in 2009, Flower said: “Yes, I can’t be any clearer. I’m very passionate about English cricket.
“(Captain) Alastair Cook and I are very determined to ensure we get things heading in the right direction again.”
England rose to number one in the world Test rankings in August 2011 and completed their third consecutive Ashes series victory with a 3-0 home win over Australia in the summer of 2013.
But despite arriving down under as favourites, they were heavily beaten in all five Tests in Australia and have now slipped to fourth in the rankings.
A two-Test series against Sri Lanka begins at Lord’s on June 12, with world number two side India arriving for five Tests a month later, and Flower is keen for England’s five-day side to learn lessons from their humiliation in Australia. “This will be the start of something new. Out of adversity some good must come and a renewal of sorts will be good for English cricket, it will be exciting for English cricket.
“We’re not sure exactly what that renewal will look like right at this moment but we need wise people to make good decisions and get the right people on board, both on the playing staff and the support staff, and get things heading in the right direction again.” England’s abject displays have prompted questions about the futures of Flower (45) and captain Cook.
Asked if the performances of his team in Australia had made him angry, Flower said: “Yes and I’m glad Alastair is as well. I don’t feel proud of what has happened in this Test series.
“I am proud of my involvement over the last few years. It’s important that we review this logically and look at the mistakes we have made.”
Since succeeding Peter Moores as England coach in 2009, Flower has overseen three Ashes series victories, the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup win, a 4-0 home series win over India that put England to the top of the world Test rankings and the first away series win in India for 28 years. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter