Stepped down to let England cricket rebuild with new set of values: Flower

Andy Flower has stepped down as England coach after the recent 5-0 whitewash by Australia in order to let the team make a fresh start in the right direction.

He made it clear that he is not the right man to lead England's recovery from a disastrous Ashes tour.

Flower, who led England to three Ashes wins and the World Twenty20 in 2010, informed the England and Wales Cricket Board of his decision following a meeting on Thursday with new managing director Paul Downton.

Flower said this is the time for England cricket, led by Alastair Cook, to rebuild with a new set of values and goals.

He further said that the team director, together with the respective captains, needs to be responsible across all formats in order to positively influence the rebuilding process.

Flower believes the next coach should be given control over all three England sides, a position Flower held before handing over responsibility for the one-day and Twenty20 sides in November 2012 to Ashley Giles.

Giles, who will lead England on their limited-overs tour of West Indies in February and March, is favourite to take the new role, The BBC reports.

Gary Kirsten is thought to be another candidate for the job.