Why Andy Flower turned down the England Test coach role

Andy Flower has reportedly disqualified himself from the running to substitute Brendon McCullum as head coach of the England Test team.

McCullum was released from the red-ball role earlier this month after a run of public controversies. Flower was England's head coach from 2009 to 2014 and helped the team to secure victory in the Ashes on three occasions including their away triumph in 2010-11 before leaving after a 5-0 series defeat in Australia.

Flower at a media day for London Spirit prior: “I have spoken to the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board). I am aware of the head coach vacancy of the England national team.”

He was of the view that it was a privilege for him to be the Test Coach. At present, the ECB are in the initial stages of identifying contenders but have not ruled out an interim appointment to secure the position against Pakistan in August.

According to Flower, he made this crucial decision because he felt that it would not have been possible to combine being England’s Test team coach with his franchise roles.

In this connection, he said: “For me, personally, I don't think I could have both, especially with the IPL being held in the first couple of months of the English summer.”

“If I was England Test coach, I would like to be here, watching and interacting with the people I need to watch and interact with. For me that wasn't a possibility, he continued.