Flower steps down as England team director following Ashes flop show

Andy Flower has reportedly stepped down from his position of England's team director following their disastrous Ashes campaign in Australia, which they lost 5-0.

Flower, who took over from Peter Moores as England team director in 2009, will remain on the selection committee 'for the time being' and he is now expected to be given a new role with the national academy at Loughborough.

According to Telegraph.com.au, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement announcing that the former Zimbabwe international had asked to stand down following a meeting with the new managing director of England cricket, Paul Downton.

After an arduous winter in Australia, where rumours surfaced of a dressing-room bust-up with star batsman Kevin Pietersen, Flower took the decision to step aside as England looks to rebuild, saying that he does not feel that he is in the position to take up the challenge of instilling new methods to steer England in the right direction.

Flower also said that in order for England cricket to make significant progress, the team director, together with the respective captains, needs to be responsible across all formats in order to positively influence the rebuilding process in order to ensure complete clarity and continuity across the squads.

However, Flower said that he will remain in his position as selector for the time being and is currently exploring possible roles within the ECB, adding that the priority must now be to establish the direction and personnel needed to ensure England cricket moves forward.

Flower steered the Test team through a highly successful period, winning three Ashes series as England moved to the top of the world Test rankings, and also led them to the World T20 title before relinquishing control of the limited-overs teams to Ashley Giles in November 2012, the report added.