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. 

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returned to the ODI setup for the first time since January, reuniting at the nets ahead of the three-match ODI series against England beginning at Edgbaston on July 14. The moment was captured on social media, showing the duo enjoying their time together during preparations at the England venue.

Both veterans now focus exclusively on ODI cricket and will next be seen in action following the conclusion of the five-match T20I series against England. Their return to the 50-over format marks a significant milestone as they prepare to build towards the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. The England tour provides crucial preparation before the tournament, which is scheduled to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027.

In their most recent ODI series, India lost to New Zealand 1-2 in January 2026. However, Kohli showcased strong form during that series. In the final ODI at Indore, Kohli struck 124 runs off 108 balls, ending the series with 240 runs in 3 innings. The right-hander also made significant achievements, reaching 28,000 international runs in his 624th innings and becoming the second-highest run scorer in international cricket, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara.

Rohit, meanwhile, struggled in the New Zealand series. The veteran scored 26, 24 and 11 in the three matches but had mixed results in the Afghanistan ODI series before that, with scores of 14, 48 and 79.

Building towards 2027 World Cup with England series

The England tour is critical for both batters, as 2026 is an important year for senior players like Kohli and Sharma with the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 coming up, and if both remain part of Team India’s main ODI plans, they are expected to play most matches in 2026. Kohli was included in the ODI squad despite sustaining a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final, though his participation remains subject to mandatory fitness clearance.

The series consists of matches at Edgbaston on July 14, followed by Cardiff on July 16 and Lord’s on July 19. These venues offer distinct challenges and will test the veterans’ readiness for the upcoming World Cup.

Both batters bring vast experience to India’s white-ball setup. Rohit sits third on the all-time ODI century list with 33 hundreds, behind Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, while Kohli continues to set records across formats.