Andy Flower: told to go
Andy Flower has left his post as England’s Team Director. Flower was called to a meeting at Lord’s on Thursday where he was told his time is up by the new managing director of the ECB Paul Downton, who officially starts in his post today.
In a peculiar twist at least one senior member of the ECB’s communications team was still flatly denying that Flower’s position was under any kind of threat as late as yesterday lunchtime in Australia. However shortly after an overwhelming eight wicket defeat at the MCG in the second Twenty20 international news filtered through that Flower, who has been England’s head coach since 2009, had left his post immediately.
It is understood that Flower will stay on in some capacity at the ECB but will not be coaching the England team.
After hours of speculation, the ECB eventually issued a statement, saying:
“Andy Flower has today informed the England and Wales Cricket Board that he wishes to step down after five successful years as England Team Director.
“Paul Downton, who met with Andy Flower this week, said: ‘Andy has been the most successful coach in England’s history and we at the ECB are very disappointed to see him leave the role as Team Director.
“‘We respect his decision and the reasons for it but we are keen to keep Andy’s experience and outstanding knowledge within the ECB. We are at advance stages of negotiating a role for Andy within the ECB structure which will best utilise his undoubted skills.’
“Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, added: ‘Andy Flower has not only shown himself to be a coach of great quality but also a man of great integrity. He has led England to great successes during his reign as Team Director and I look forward to his continued input in the ECB’s coaching structure.
“’I am sure that he will be every bit as successful in that role as he has been in his five years as England Team Director. I thank him for his contribution to England’s cricketing history and wish him well in the future and his continued role in England’s cricketing success.’
“Andy Flower said: ‘Following the recent very disappointing Ashes defeat it is clear to me that this is now time for England cricket, led by Alastair Cook, to rebuild with a new set of values and goals. The opportunity to start with a clean slate and begin to instil methods to ensure England cricket is moving in the right direction will be an incredibly exciting challenge for someone but I do not feel like I am in a position to undertake that challenge.
“‘In order for England cricket to make significant progress I believe that the Team Director, together with the respective captains, needs to be responsible across all formats in order to positively influence the rebuilding process. This will ensure complete clarity and continuity across the squads and having stepped aside from the limited overs squads 14 months ago that is not something I am able to do and I do not therefore feel that starting the process would be in the best interests of all involved at what is a pivotal time for England cricket.
“’This has been a very difficult decision to make and I remain committed to England cricket and would like to wish Alastair Cook and Paul Downton every success. I will remain in my position as a selector for the time being and am currently exploring possible roles within the ECB. The priority must now be to establish the direction and personnel needed to ensure England cricket moves forward.’”
Arguably England’s most successful coach of the modern era, Flower has now become the first and most spectacular casualty of a horrific tour of Australia that has seen England whitewashed in the Ashes and beaten badly in all formats. Off the field three England players have returned home ahead of times in unusual circumstances, while the relationship with Kevin Pietersen has remained toxic throughout.
Given the perceived ultimatum issued by Flower over Pietersen’s place in the England team his departure would seem to pen the way for England’s most troubled and talented middle order batsman to play on in all formats should he manage to strike up a rapprochement with the captain Alastair Cook and whoever Flower’s replacement might be.
(guardian.co.uk)
