Former England coach Andy Flower is leaving the ECB after 12 years as part of a major reshuffle by managing director Ashley Giles.
The Zimbabwean, who in five years as team director led England’s Test side to No 1 in the world and won the 2010 World Twenty20, has been told his services are no longer required and is negotiating a severance package. Fast bowling coach Kevin Shine and spin bowling coach Peter Such have also been given notice.
After a full season in charge, Giles has concluded that the bowling coaches are not delivering, with the number of injuries sustained by fast bowlers Mark Wood and Olly Stone a particular source of concern.
Sportsmail revealed earlier this summer that Flower’s future was in doubt, and confirmation of his departure is expected from the ECB later this month.
The 51-year-old has been employed as technical director of elite cricket by the ECB since stepping down as head coach five years ago, a role which involved mentoring county coaches and running the England Lions.
Flower appears to have paid the price for tension in his relationship with Giles, who returned to the ECB as managing director of men’s cricket last December.
The pair often clashed over scheduling and player release issues when they were respectively in charge of England’s Test and one-day teams between 2012 and 2014. Flower’s high salary is also understood to have become an issue for the ECB. – Daily Mail
