Flower set for England talks
England team director Andy Flower will meet with the new managing director of England cricket, Paul Downton, in Sydney over the New Year to plot a way forward for the team after their disastrous tour of Australia
Flower wanted Swann to finish tour
Andy Flower said he would have liked Graeme Swann to complete the Ashes tour before retiring but said the offspinner could leave "very proudly."
Swann made his surprise move before the Boxing Day Test, saying his troublesome elbow would not allow him to continue and he did not want to hang around for a send-off.
"Graeme Swann has done an outstanding job for England over the last six or so years," Flower said."I think he's the seventh-highest Test wicket-taker in English history. To do that over 60 Test matches is a great effort, and he's been a huge part of our success over the last few years.
"I've been very proud to have had him in the side, and I know he can retire very proudly.In saying that, I would have liked him to have seen the tour out."
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo