England deliberating Andy Flower's return as Test coach after sacking of Brendon McCullum
England has left the door open for Andy Flower to make a dramatic return as Test coach following the sacking of Brendon McCullum from the red-ball role on Sunday.
McCullum, who will stay on as England's limited-overs coach, paid the ultimate price for a dismal run of seven defeats in nine Tests. This stretch included a woeful 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia. While the former New Zealand captain was initially retained despite the Ashes humiliation, a recent 2-1 home series loss to his native Black Caps proved to be the final straw for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) hierarchy.
The search for a successor: Flexibility and the IPL
ECB chief executive Richard Gould told reporters at Lord's on Sunday there is no requirement for McCullum's successor to be English. Furthermore, the ECB may allow the incoming coach to combine the international role with a position in the lucrative T20 franchise Indian Premier League (IPL).
This flexibility could be crucial in luring back Zimbabwe cricket great Andy Flower. Flower previously guided England to three Ashes series wins—including their last away triumph—during a highly successful five-year spell from 2009-14 that saw England climb to number one in the Test rankings. Former England captain Nasser Hussain has already urged the ECB to do everything they can to bring the "meticulous" Flower back on board.
However, a potential obstacle remains: Flower is currently in charge of the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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A 'progressive' approach to coaching roles
Gould insisted he has yet to have conversations with Flower or any other potential successor, but emphasized that the ECB is open to a possible job-share or split-schedule arrangement.
"I think you'll find that we need to be progressive in these issues," said Gould. "Where we have players trying to balance between county, franchise and international cricket, we may have to do the same with our coaching staff and support staff, but that is something we'll have to have a look at."
England's next assignment is an upcoming three-Test campaign at home to Pakistan, with the series opener at Headingley starting on August 19. While Gould prefers a full-time coach by then, he acknowledged an interim appointment might be necessary.
"Ideally, we'll have someone in place for the Pakistan Test, but that also clashes with other franchise tournaments and international fixtures around the world," said Gould. "Therefore if we need to take a little bit longer to get the person we want, we'll take that time."
Turf wars and backing for Rob Key
McCullum's exit caps off a turbulent period for English cricket, following closely on the heels of the international retirement of former England Test captain Ben Stokes.
Despite the upheaval, England managing director Rob Key remains in his post, surviving vocal criticism from 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan. Key has come under fire for overseeing a sharp decline in Test results, as well as his handling of several off-field disciplinary problems—which resulted in new guidelines on alcohol being sent to England players this week.
However, the former England batsman received staunch backing from Gould on Sunday.
"He has got a really good brain," he said. "He is a good communicator, he has got extraordinary knowledge of what goes on within our game in England and he has spent the last four years in one of the most difficult jobs in English sport.
"None of us are immune to results, whether it is coach, captain, director of cricket or chief executive. The key is whatever changes we make, they are the ones most likely to bring the most rapid resolution to results we want." (AFP)