Michael Atherton backs Andy Flower as England's next white-ball coach

After back-to-back disappointing campaigns in the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup, Matthew Pott decided to step down as England's white-ball head coach. Multiple names have been discussed since then and former cricketer Michael Atherton became the latest one to suggest. The 56-year-old believes that the reappointment of Andy Flower can bring back the glory days as it was under his guidance that England won the T20 World Cup in 2010 and also became the number one ranked Test side. 

Flower and ECB distanced themselves despite success as many of the players didn’t enjoy rough and intense training sessions under Flower's reign. However, Atherton feels that the former cricketer has mellowed down and pointed out his success with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, in CPL and also in The Hundred. He believes that Flower has enormous experience and has broadened his approach, which can benefit England.

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“Flower transformed Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League; won the Abu Dhabi T10; took St Lucia to their first CPL final; and won the Hundred with Trent Rockets. These successes demonstrate Flower’s ability to adapt and excel in various competitive environments, skills that are crucial for the white-ball role,” Atherton wrote in his column for The Times.

“Flower has changed, too. He is said to have mellowed somewhat, possibly due to age or the evolving dynamics of player power. His extensive experience across different coaching roles has broadened his approach, making him potentially more adaptable and effective,” he added.

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The former Zimbabwe cricketer also coaches Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. Atherton noted that international cricket is usually stopped during the cash-rich tournament and Flower can coach in India if the prefers to as it can help him learn the new trends of T20 cricket.

“International jobs are less sought after than before, and Flower’s IPL commitment might be a sticking point. However, there is no international cricket during the IPL window, and Flower’s involvement in the IPL can keep him attuned to emerging trends and players, benefiting his role with England,” Atherton concluded.