1 Feb 2014

Flower leaves England coaching role

6:59 am on 1 February 2014

Andy Flower has left his position as head coach of the England cricket team after their humiliating 5-0 Ashes defeat in Australia.

The England and Wales Cricket Board called Flower the most successful coach in England's history as it confirmed the departure of the Zimbabwean, who had been in charge since 2009, but found his position under increasing pressure after England suffered heavy defeats in the Test series.

During his time in charge, the former Zimbabwe wicket-keeper batsman helped England to win the Ashes three times and masterminded their first World Twenty20 title in 2010.

Flower also steered England to number one in the world Test rankings in August 2011 following a 4-0 home victory over India.