Andy Flower rules out a return as England head coach

Andy Flower has ruled himself out of contention to succeed Brendon McCullum as England’s new Test head coach, following conversations with England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Rob Key.

McCullum was removed from his job with England’s red ball side last week with former Zimbabwe international Flower, who led the team to victory in the three Ashes series during his previous spell in charge between 2009 and 2014, quickly emerging as favourite to replace him.

He is currently in charge of Indian Premier League outfit Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well as Hundred side London Spirit, and he cited his IPL commitments – which would overlap with the early weeks of the English cricket season – as a reason why he does not wish to be considered by England.

“Obviously that is a topic that’s being talked about at the moment,” he said. “I have spoken with the ECB. We’re all aware of the vacancy for the head coach job of the England national team.

“I have spoken with Rob and the ECB on that topic. The bottom line for me is that I’m very happy in the work that I’m doing at the moment. I work for a couple of 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 at the moment.

“I’ve worked with England before, as you all know. I had an amazing time when I had the privilege to be England head coach and represent England as one of their leaders a number of years ago. I remember those years really fondly.

“It would be a privilege for me or anyone else to be the Test coach. But for me at this time, I’m really comfortable with what I’m doing. I’m going to stick with doing that.”

Asked whether he had formally ruled himself out, he said: “I have, yes.”

Flower previously led England to number one in the world rankings and a stunning Ashes win in Australia in 2010-11 and is held in high esteem by the ECB.

It leaves the governing body no further forward in the search for a new head coach as it seeks to recover from a hugely challenging few months.

A 2-1 series defeat at home to New Zealand, after the 4-1 thumping in the Ashes, was followed by the retirement of Ben Stokes as captain and finally McCullum’s demotion.

Flower though has informed them his priorities lie elsewhere.

“I don’t think I could have done both (jobs), especially with the IPL being held during the first couple of moments the English summer,” he said. “If I was England Test coach I would like to be here, watching and interacting.

“For me, that wasn’t a possibility.

“We all like clarity. Obviously there’ll be lots of debate over who might do the head coach role. But I won’t be part of that debate. It is nice to draw a little line under that. My focus is on this job (London Spirit).”