Flower keen to keep out of controversy (From The Northern Echo)

Flower keen to keep out of controversy

9:32am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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ENGLAND coach Andy Flower is content to defer to his employers’ judgment should any fresh corruption allegations be made against Pakistan players during the NatWest Series.

It is understood the England and Wales Cricket Board were especially concerned last week about the prospect then of their team facing Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer in the tourists’ limited-overs ranks.

That eventuality was avoided when the Pakistan Cricket Board announced the three players at the centre of ’spotfixing’ claims during the Lord’s Test would take no part in two NatWest Twenty20s in Cardiff or the five one-day internationals still to come.

The International Cricket Council subsequently brought charges against the three under the anti-corruption code and suspended them from all cricket while the case continues.

That allowed England to take on, and beat, Pakistan twice at the SWALEC Stadium.

The crisis which dogged cricket throughout last week is refusing to pass easily, though, thanks to fresh allegations over the last few days.

But Flower said: ‘‘The ECB took a very strong stance with the Pakistan board and the ICC over the allegations surrounding the first three players, so I trust the ECB’s judgment on any further stance they might think is necessary.

‘‘That is unless there are a specific set of circumstances where the (England) players feel it is necessary to make their own stance or decision.

‘‘I think the ECB are best placed to make that sort of decision.’’ England, who beat Pakistan 3-1 in the npower Test series, continue to have the measure of opponents who must surely be distracted by the stresses of the past week.

Flower was delighted with his Twenty20 world champion team’s return to the shortest format in Wales, but admits Pakistan’s ‘spot-fixing’ controversy has taken the gloss off England’s success.

‘‘There’s inevitably a bit of a gloomy atmosphere at the moment – and with the sullying of cricket’s name and reputation, that’s understandable.

‘‘It’s a pity, because we are playing some outstanding cricket.

‘‘We have won two games comfortably, and for the skills of the bowlers in particular to be overshadowed so completely is sad.

‘‘It’s fair to say it was the same in the Test series too.

‘‘There were some great performances, like (Jonathan) Trott and (Stuart) Broad’s (world record eighthwicket) partnership and some others, but they have been overshadowed by controversy.’’ All England can do, of course, is carry on giving their best – starting in tomorrow’s first ODI in Chester-le- Street.

‘‘We have got on with our jobs in a professional manner,’’ added Flower.

‘‘I’m sure the players have some strong views on the issues the game is facing. But they have gone about their work and put those issues to the back of their minds, and that’s a tribute to them.

‘‘They love playing for England and they are highly motivated and proud to represent their country.

‘‘All the other stuff that is being alleged, I think, has highlighted our guys’ appreciation of representing their country in a fair and proud manner.

‘‘This business has emphasised to them how proud they are and the responsibilities they face.’’