Schofield backs England coach Flower

A key architect of the revival of English cricket today backed under-fire coach Andy Flower after the team meekly surrendered the Ashes to Australia.
Ken Schofield, who authored a report on the way forward for England after their 5-0 Ashes whitewash in 2006-07, called for Flower to remain in the job after the current series ends.
Flower's coaching future is unclear after his first Ashes defeat. There is speculation he may not continue but Schofield said he was a strong supporter.
"I would like to think the fact these results have gone so wrong would want him to have another go and not leave on a negative. Only he would know," Schofield told Fairfax Media.

"But I would think everyone in English cricket and British sport wants Andy Flower to go on -- we think the world of him."
Schofield also does not believe another in-depth review of English cricket is required, despite losing the Ashes after three heavy Test defeats to Michael Clarke's Australians.

He believes England have been on the slide since being beaten at home by South Africa in 2012 under Andrew Strauss -- a defeat that cost them the top Test ranking.
Batsmen Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior and Ian Bell are among those whose average since the start of last year is lower than their career mark.

"I think it shows this particular side, which I see as a continuum of the (Andrew) Strauss-Cook side with the same senior players, probably peaked (just before) they lost at home to South Africa," Schofield said.