Last Updated on 19 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Nasser Hussain believes Andy Flower would be an ideal choice to replace Brendon McCullum as the next England Test coach.
A ‘gutted’ McCullum was relieved from red-ball duties on Sunday following the home series defeat to New Zealand, bringing a definitive end to the captivating Bazball era, though he remains in charge of the white-ball setup after England reached the top of the T20I rankings with an impressive 4-0 victory over India.
Following Ben Stokes’ shock retirement, it now leaves England currently without a captain and head coach ahead of their next Test against Pakistan at Headingley on August 19 and just one year out from a home Ashes series.
‘Meticulous’ – Nasser Hussain on Andy Flower
Speculation on the next appointment has already begun, and perhaps unlike with the captaincy, there have been plenty of names thrown into mix, including the likes of Justin Langer, Jonathan Trott and Glamorgan’s Richard Dawson.
Former England head coach Andy Flower has also been tipped as a potential front runner to succeed the Kiwi, with ex-England captain and Sky Sports commentator Nasser Hussain confident the 58-year-old would provide the perfect balance alongside managing director Rob Key, who is set to remain in his position despite widespread criticism.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hussain said: “If you’re going to keep Key – who I don’t think his strongest suit is attention to detail – then below, you do need someone who is absolutely across everything and does not miss a trick.
“For me, the best person for that is Andy Flower by a country mile. Flower took England to number one in the world. Flower pushed his team hard, some say at times too hard, but I love his coaching ability and the way he went about things.
“He was meticulous in everything that he did and that’s what’s been lacking in this England Test side. I would do anything if I was the ECB and Rob Key to go and get Andy Flower.”
Franchise success
The Zimbabwean was in charge of England between 2009-2014 and masterminded the famous Ashes victory Down Under in 2010-11, though his five-year tenure came to an acrimonious end after the brutal 5-0 whitewash on their next visit.
Flower has more recently flourished on the franchise circuit across the IPL, PSL, CPL and The Hundred.
He won the second edition of The Hundred with Trent Rockets in 2022 and has guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to consecutive IPL titles in 2025 and 2026, where he remains in charge and worked with England Test duo Jacob Bethell and Jordan Cox.
Whether Flower would be willing to relinquish that role remains to be seen, though ECB chief executive Richard Gould did not rule out the potential for a job-share when discussing the shortlist of ‘six to ten names’ for McCullum’s successor.
