Three-time Ashes-winning coach, Andy Flower has joined the Australian team on consultancy basis ahead of the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval, England from June 7- 11. Flower is not expected to be around the beginning of the 2023 Ashes Series, which kick-off from June 16 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
The former England coach, however, is likely to join the Australian squad at the later stage of the Ashes, according to a recent report from ESPNCricinfo.
Andy Flower is a former Zimbabwe skipper and wicketkeeper-batter, who is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers the county has ever produced. After retirement, he served as a head coach of the England team from 2009 to 2014. During his tenure, England won the 2010 T20 WC and clinched three consecutive Ashes Series victories in 2009, 2010-11, and 2013.
Apart from a great cricket career, Flower also had a successful coaching career in various franchise cricket across the globe. Under his coaching, he led Trent Rockets to the title last year at The Hundred and first-time Multan Sultans reached the playoffs in the 2022 Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.
The 55-year-old, currently is the head coach of Multan Sultans in the PSL , St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pat Cummins on the inclusion of Andy Flower
Australian skipper Pat Cummins, feels lucky to have Andy Flower in the side who has a lot of experience of England’s conditions. Australia will look to become the first team since England in 2010-11 to win an away Ashes Series this year.
“[He brings] experience over here, first of all and knows these conditions really well. Hopefully he knows the opposition, so if he can give us one little bit of insight into playing in England that we haven’t thought about then it’s worth it. I think Andrew [McDonald] has worked with him quite a bit, and you’ve seen us over the years bring in different people at different times. We’re pretty lucky to have someone as experienced as Andy,” Cummins said.
India and Australia will take on each other in the 2023 WTC final, with The Oval hosting its first-ever Test in the month of June in the history of International cricket.
