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Flower admits to holding India discussions

ESPN staff
May 5, 2011
Andy Flower is focused on what he can still achieve with England © Getty Images
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Andy Flower has confirmed that he did have discussions with India about the possibility of succeeding Gary Kirsten as the national team coach.

Flower, who has been head coach of England for two years, was reported to have been on the shortlist for the job once Kirsten - who guided India to World Cup glory on home soil - decided to step down in April.

The job eventually went to Flower's fellow Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher - himself a former England coach - but Flower maintains his preference was always to stay with England and help continue the quest to become the No. 1 ranked Test side.

"I did have communication with India about that job, but it was very clear in my mind where my immediate future lies," Flower said. "I think we have done good things in my two years as head coach, but there is huge potential for growth for England cricket.

"We are ranked number three, our goal is to be ranked number one and for us to get there we are going to have to improve in various aspects of the game and we are going to have to be very hungry and driven towards that goal.

"In limited overs yes, we are Twenty20 champions, but that guarantees us nothing for the World Cup in 18 months and that is going to be held in the sub-continent.

"We have just come from a competition there where we didn't perform anywhere near to our potential. We are going to have to address that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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