Andy Flower has ruled himself out of contention to succeed Brendon McCullum as England’s latest Test head coach, following conversations with England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Rob Key.
McCullum was faraway from his job with England’s red ball side last week.
The previous Zimbabwe international Flower, who led the team to victory within the three Ashes series during his previous spell in charge between 2009 and 2014, quickly emerged because the favourite to switch him and make his return to the England set-up.
He’s currently answerable for Indian Premier League outfit Royal Challengers Bengaluru in addition to The Hundred side London Spirit, and he cited his IPL commitments – which might overlap with the early weeks of the English cricket season – as a reason why he doesn’t want to be considered by England.
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PICTURE: PA
Comfortable
“Obviously that could be a topic that’s being talked about in the meanwhile,” he said. “I actually have spoken with the ECB.
“We’re all aware of the emptiness for the top coach job of the England national team.
“I actually have spoken with Rob and the ECB on that topic. The underside line for me is that I’m very comfortable within the work that I’m doing in the meanwhile.
“I work for a few really good organisations, I’ve got really good teams around me, really good people around me.
“I’m really comfortable with what I’m doing in the meanwhile.
“I’ve worked with England before, as you all know. I had an incredible time after I had the privilege to be England head coach and represent England as one in all their leaders a lot of years ago.
“I remember those years really fondly.
“It might be a privilege for me or anyone else to be the Test coach. But for me at the moment, I’m really comfortable with what I’m doing. I’m going to persist with doing that.”
PICTURE: Mike Egerton/PA
No further forward
Asked whether he had formally ruled himself out, he said: “I actually have, yes.”
Flower previously led England to primary on the planet rankings and a shocking Ashes win in Australia in 2010-11 and is held in high esteem by the ECB.
It leaves the governing body no further forward within the seek for a brand new head coach because it seeks to get better from a hugely difficult few months.
A 2-1 series defeat at home to Recent Zealand, after the 4-1 thumping within the Ashes, was followed by the retirement of Ben Stokes as captain and at last McCullum’s demotion.
PICTURE: Jacob King/PA
Focus
Flower though has informed them his priorities lie elsewhere.
“I don’t think I could have done each (jobs), especially with the IPL being held throughout the first couple of moments the English summer,” he said.
“If I used to be England Test coach I would love to be here, watching and interacting.
“For me, that wasn’t a possibility.
“All of us like clarity. Obviously there’ll be a lot of debate over who might do the top coach role.
“But I won’t be a part of that debate. It is good to attract a bit line under that. My focus is on this job (London Spirit).”
READ MORE: Brendon McCullum says England ‘weren’t ok’ after Test coach exit
