Andy Flower (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Pat Cummins-led Australia are seeking to retain the urn as they have added three-time Ashes-winning coach Andy Flower to the backroom staff ahead of the team’s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against India at The Oval in London beginning on June 7. England will host the five-match series, which is scheduled to begin on June 16 and conclude on July 31.
The former Zimbabwe skipper, Flower had coached England from 2009-14. He emerged victorious in his first three Ashes in 2009, 2010-11, and 2013. However, he stepped down from the role after his side was whitewashed in Australia in 2013-14.
Following the appointment of Flower, Australia skipper Cummins stated that they were fortunate to have someone as experienced as the Zimbabwean in their camp during the showpiece event. The 30-year-old feels Flower has a vast knowledge of English conditions, as well as the opponents, and that his addition will be beneficial to them.
“[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,” Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Cummins went on to say that he thinks Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has worked with Flower quite a bit and said that he has seen Australia bring in different people at different periods over the years.
“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.”
Flower, on the other hand, is unlikely to be involved in the set-up to the first Ashes Test on June 16 at Edgbaston. According to ESPNcricinfo, the 55-year-old will rejoin the squad in the final stages of the series, perhaps prior to the start of the third Test at Headingley on July 6.