Flower not looking for scapegoats after Ashes series whitewash

Flower has committed himself to staying on as Test coach and team director to try to reinvigorate England after their shambolic descent to a 5-0 defeat, and he insists captain Alastair Cook can emerge from the debacle to put his own stamp on a team for the future.

He acknowledges there must be some change after five wide-margin Test defeats, but does not advocate singling out anyone at this early stage of the necessary review process.

Which senior players remain in Cook and Flower’s new era is a source of much conjecture.

Kevin Pietersen, for example, was variously touted on the final day of the series as ready for retirement or about to be given the vice-captaincy.

Flower, unsurprisingly, gave no clues as to which might be nearer the truth. “I don’t want to go into talking about individuals right now,” he said.

“This isn’t a witch-hunt – certainly not on my part anyway. We need to make wise decisions about who are the players that need to join Alastair Cook in the rebuilding of the England cricket side.”

Those decisions will continue to take place in a series of meetings with new England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Paul Downton.

Flower said: “We met prior to the Sydney Test and are meeting again with a little more information.

“He was very supportive. I’m not looking for the ECB to have the same ideas I’ve got. We’re looking to have a proper, robust discussion about what the best ideas are for English cricket.

“We’ve got to get our heads together.

“What I’ve always tried to do in my role is make the best decisions in the interests of English cricket - and that is what I’ll do, with Paul.”

Suddenly, England must find solutions to many problems they did not even know they had – until Mitchell Johnson, Brad Haddin et al began exposing their weaknesses this winter.

Flower concedes his own resignation would be one feasible reaction to a malaise which seemed a world away when England were beating Australia 3-0 at home last summer.

That is not going to happen, however.

“Of course, that is one of the options – but I’m very committed to English cricket,” he added.

“Obviously, after a loss of this proportion, there has to be change of some description... and I imagine there will be.

“It would not be reasonable to go on doing the same things again. I think our methods, our environment and our personnel all need to be looked at.

“I obviously have to look at the way I’ve led this group, and I’m continually looking to improve myself.”

Flower is convinced, though, that Cook has all the attributes to restate his case both as a record-breaking batsman and leader.

“I think Alastair Cook can lead the renewal of the England cricket side,” he said.

“He will grow into that type of leader where he can call a team absolutely his own.”