'I'll stay on' declares England's Andy Flower despite Ashes whitewash

Andy Flower today declared he is staying on as England coach following the Ashes whitewash.

Flower has vowed to set about rebuilding England's battered reputation after Australia added the final humiliation with a 281-run success in the fifth and final Test in Sydney yesterday.

The abject displays have prompted questions about the futures of Flower, 45, and captain Alastair Cook. But at a prickly press conference today Flower, asked if he will remain as team director, said: "Yes."

Prompted for a slightly fuller response, he added: "You asked for a clear answer. I think 'yes' is a pretty clear answer."

Flower took over in 2009 and two years later England rose to No.1 in the world Test rankings before completing their third consecutive Ashes series victory with a 3-0 win in 2013.

But they were crushed in all five Tests in Australia and are now ranked fourth.

Asked if the performances had made him angry, Flower said: "Yes and I'm glad Alastair is as well.

"I don't feel proud of what has happened.

"This does feel like the end of an era and a chance of some sort of renewal for the England cricket team.

"We've underperformed badly. If I'm honest, we could have seen it coming earlier."