Andy Flower has distanced himself from the England men’s Test coach role after discussing the prospect with England men’s managing director, Rob Key. Flower said he was content with where he was in his coaching career.
“I have, yes,” Flower was quoted as saying by Cricinfo. “I have spoken with the ECB. We’re all aware of the vacancy for the head coach job of the England national team, and I have spoken with Rob [Key] and the ECB on that topic. [But] the bottom line for me is that I’m very happy in the work that I’m doing at the moment.”
Flower’s comment is a big setback for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The ECB is desperately looking for someone who could be the right fit to take over the coaching role, which became vacant after Brendon McCullum was sacked before the start of England’s three-match ODI series against India.
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Flower’s name was making headlines all this while because of his association with the England men’s team in the past. During his tenure, England won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in 2010, won the Ashes thrice and also won a historic Test series in India in 2012.
“I work for a couple of really good organisations, with really good teams around me and I’m really comfortable with what I’m doing at the moment,” added Flower.
“I’ve worked with England before and I had an amazing time. I had the privilege to be England head coach and represent England a number of years ago and I remember those years really fondly.
“It would be a privilege for me or anyone else to be the Test coach. For me at this time, I’m really comfortable with what I’m doing and I’m going to stick with doing that.”
Stephen Fleming addresses rumours of his links with England’s Test coaching role
Stephen Fleming also addressed the reports of him being in the running to take up the job with the England men’s red-ball team.
“I’d 100% give it some consideration, just out of respect. If another country thought you could add some value, it’s quite a compliment,” Fleming told the New Zealand Herald.
Fleming’s 18-year-long association with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) came to an end recently after they parted ways cordially. Under Fleming’s coaching tenure, CSK won five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 trophies.
