The England Test coach hunt has lost one of its biggest names before it has really begun. Andy Flower, who had featured prominently on the ECB's shortlist to replace Brendon McCullum, has confirmed that he is not in contention for the England Men's Test head coach position.
McCullum was recently relieved from the role, weeks after Ben Stokes announced his international retirement.
Speaking at the media day as London Spirit Men's head coach, Flower was asked if he had ruled himself out. "I have, yes," he said.
Flower said it would "not be possible" for him to serve as the head coach of reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well as the England Men's cricket team.
"For me, personally, I don't think I could have both, especially with the IPL being held in the first couple of months of the English summer," he said. "If I was England Test coach, I would like to be here, watching and interacting with the people I need to watch and interact with. For me that wasn't a possibility."
Flower admitted he's been in touch with the ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board) but is "very happy" with the work he's doing at the moment.
"I have spoken to the ECB, I am aware of the head coach vacancy of the England national team. I have spoken with Rob [Key, managing director of England Men's cricket] at the ECB on that topic.
"The bottom line for me is I'm very happy in the work that I'm doing at the moment. I work for a couple of really good organisations, with really good teams around me and I'm really comfortable with what I'm doing at the moment," he said.
Flower previously served as England Men's assistant coach in 2007 and later as head coach between 2009 and 2014.
"I've worked with England before and I had an amazing time. I had the privilege to be England head coach and represent England a number of years ago and I remember those years really fondly.
"It would be a privilege for me or anyone else to be the Test coach. For me at this time, I'm really comfortable with what I'm doing and I'm going to stick with doing that."
England next play a Test match on August 19 against Pakistan at Headingley, giving the board just about a month to pick McCullum's successor.
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