Former England captain Nasser Hussain has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to appoint Andy Flower as the next Test coach following Brendon McCullum’s tenure.

McCullum’s meticulous approach helped revive England’s Test side during the Bazball era. However, his four-year stint ended on a disappointing note after the team won 11 of its first 13 Tests but lost eight of its final 12 matches. The decline included a disappointing 1-4 Ashes series defeat to Australia, prompting the ECB to consider a change in direction.

Hussain believes Flower is the ideal candidate, having previously coached England from 2009 to 2014. During his tenure, England won multiple Ashes series, including the historic 2010-11 triumph in Australia, and rose to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings.

“If you’re going to keep Rob Key, whose attention to detail is not his strongest suit, then below him you need someone who is absolutely across everything and doesn’t miss a trick,” Hussain told Sky Sports.

“For me, the best person for that would be Andy Flower by a country mile. Flower took England to number one in the world. I love Flower’s approach to coaching. He was meticulous in everything that he did. That’s what’s been lacking in this England Test side. I would do anything if I was Rob Key and the ECB to go and get Andy Flower,” he added.

Andy Flower’s return, however, may not be straightforward. The Zimbabwean is the head coach of IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and remains one of the most sought-after coaches in franchise cricket.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said the board has not yet approached any candidates, with managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key set to lead the recruitment process following Brendon McCullum’s departure. Gould also indicated that the ECB would be open to appointing a coach who continues to work in franchise cricket, including the IPL.

“We haven’t had any contact with any individuals before we’ve had conversation with Brendon McCullum. Rob Key will now be taking those conversations forward. I think you’ll find that we need to be progressive in these issues,” Gould said.

“Where we have players trying to balance between county, franchise and international cricket, we may have to do the same with our coaching staff and support staff. There may well be some compromises that need to be made along the way, but the important thing is that you have got the best individual who offers the best fit and we get them in those positions. It is something we would certainly consider,” he added.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim has called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to closely evaluate the role of the Indian team management following the team’s disappointing performances in the recently concluded T20I series against Ireland and England.

India endured a difficult run in the shortest format, suffering a 0-2 series defeat against Ireland before being whitewashed 4-0 by England. The back-to-back losses have raised several questions over the team’s planning and execution, with the BCCI reportedly set to hold a review meeting.

Karim said accountability should extend beyond the players and include the coaching staff and team leadership.

“After such a disastrous series – a whitewash with huge margins of defeat – no one can abdicate responsibility – not only the support staff including Head Coach Gautam Gambhir but also the captain (Shreyas Iyer) and the vice-captain (Tilak Varma),” Karim was quoted as saying by the Business Standard.

He further stressed that the leadership group plays a major role during overseas tours and should be assessed accordingly.

“I think, these people are the think-tank of the Indian side, more so when you’re travelling outside India. The BCCI must examine their role and responsibility for the debacle,” the former India stumper added.

While Karim believes the team management must be held accountable, he also backed newly-appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer and urged the selectors to continue showing faith in him.

The former selector felt that appointing a new captain is a long-term investment and that Iyer should be given enough time and support to establish his leadership.

“I hope that once you have invested in a captain like Shreyas Iyer, you continue to give him more support and back him,” he continued.

At the same time, Karim said the responsibility now lies with Iyer to stamp his authority as captain by developing a clear vision for the team.

“But I also feel that the time is right now for Iyer to assert himself in terms of planning, in terms of resources, in terms of the kind of vision he has. It is up to him now to lead the team forward and to have the right resources under him,” he stressed.

When asked whether the recent failures could lead to major changes in the coaching and support staff, Karim said the final decision rests with the BCCI. He also revealed that the board has already planned a review meeting involving those responsible for the team’s performance. 

“That is why the BCCI has called for a meeting where all these individuals or all such people who are given this responsibility will be invited and they will have a discussion,” he noted.

Following India’s disappointing T20I campaign, the visitors will be playing a three-match ODI series starting from July 14. 

Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned whether outside pressure and social media narratives are influencing India’s T20I selection decisions, lamenting the frequent team changes that have left both Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi caught in selection limbo during the ongoing England tour.

Sooryavanshi replaced Samson in the playing XI for the second T20I at Emirates Old Stafford on July 4, with the 15-year-old debutant scoring 14 runs. The constant flux between the two batters has sparked debate about team stability and the psychological impact on players caught in the shuffle.

“I’m still telling you Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is an incredible player. If I were the selector, I would have also picked him. But let him take his time. This is called an internship, right?” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed concern about how quickly Samson had been dropped, questioning what the World Cup Player of the Tournament would be thinking and how motivated he would be in training. The former spinner has backed Samson despite his recent poor form, arguing that a player who helped India win the World Cup deserves a longer rope.

“I sometimes thought that I should have played in this era. When I went for the Test tour, a lot of people on social media said Ashwin has to play, how can you drop him? But I still didn’t play in the team. If I was out, they kept me out because the team management knows what is needed for the team. You are saying that you can pick teams by succumbing to social media pressure?” Ashwin said.

If the outside pressure is disturbing the team management, then think about the players: Ashwin

The former Indian off-spinner also warned that the constant selection changes could damage the team’s morale.

“There have been times where I could have played, but there have been times where it was a 50-50 decision, and there were times where it was the right decision. I came to England with very good form, but the coach and captain spoke to me, and then I felt maybe they were doing it for the combination they wanted. It is the team’s decision. The team management is like a temple. If the outside noise is allowed to enter the team, whose fault is it? How can the outside pressure disturb the team? If the outside pressure is disturbing the team management, then think about the players,” Ashwin added.

Most concerning for Ashwin is India’s lack of consistency in team composition. He highlighted the frequent changes in personnel, especially at the top of the order.

“The point is, when you are winning, there is no challenge; the team and the players will perform automatically. But when the team loses, I’m looking at it from this perspective. From the first match against Ireland to the last game, how many games have we played with the same XI? There have been changes in every game. Sanju Samson out, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out, Sanju Samson in,” Ashwin remarked.

India now turn their attention to Zimbabwe, where they begin a three-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club, scheduled to be held from July 23 to 26. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is retained for the Zimbabwe squad while Sanju Samson has been dropped, extending the saga of their fluctuating fortunes.