• England in India

Flower embarrassed by England loss

ESPN staff
October 25, 2011
England were found wanting with the bat © Getty Images
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England coach Andy Flower has labelled the defeat to India at Eden Gardens that confirmed their 5-0 series whitewash as embarrassing and has suggested he will overhaul how the team prepare for future tours.

England travelled to India on a high having mauled the same opposition on home soil and headed to the sub-continent earlier than normal. The players looked revved up for the occasion, but were found wanting as India claimed a comprehensive 5-0 win.

The series was wrapped up in Kolkata, as England collapsed from a position of dominance and it was a display that left the coach very unhappy.

"It was a bad loss and an embarrassing loss," Flower told Sky Sports. "On the batting it is fair to say [it is the same mistakes]. We have played five times and failed four times with the bat. We all have to take responsibility for that, it is very disappointing, especially after a strong start. The two openers batted superbly and got us into a strong position to win the game."

England arrived a fortnight before the opening game of the series but it did not aid their cause.

"I thought our preparations were good, but maybe I have misjudged that," Flower said. "I thought we were in a good position to contest this series strongly. We came over confident. Yes the conditions are different, but they are not that different and I have got to look at the way we have prepared.

"I have got to look at some of the decisions I made and the decisions we made as a management team. We have got to learn lessons and there are plenty to learn."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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