Flower more open to permanent role

Andy Flower has said he will consider applying for the England head coach role when it is officially advertised in the next few days. He is currently in an interim position after the sudden departure of Peter Moores in January, but despite difficulties for the team on the tour of West Indies it has given him the hunger to try for the top job.

"I have really enjoyed doing it so far," Flower said. "I am sure there are many experienced, fine coaches out there but I haven't quite made my decision yet."

Shortly before departing on the tour Flower said he would see how the trip developed before deciding whether to aim for the full-time position, which could become a team director position instead of the old-style coach.

If he helped England turn around the 1-0 deficit and claim the series over the next two Tests that would strengthen his credentials, although he faces tough competition with the ECB likely to want leading world figures to apply. In the aftermath of Moores' departure, the current Kent director of cricket Graham Ford became one of the frontrunners, but Flower said he has plenty to offer.

"[There's] my experience as a Test cricketer and the fact that I've been involved with these guys for almost two years. I know the personnel involved and I believe I can help gel a unit together," he said.

One key factor that may count against him, however, is his closeness to Moores. When Kevin Pietersen made his demands for the team structure, which ultimately cost him the captaincy, Flower was also on the list of people he wanted out. "Peter Moores is a good friend of mine and I really enjoyed working with him," Flower said. "If I am too closely associated with him that is for someone else to decide."

Flower's first priority though is to ensure England don't dwell on the disappointment of the near-miss in Antigua when West Indies saved the Test with nine wickets down. "It was very disappointing," he said. "We dominated the whole Test and didn't win in the end, so it did feel a bit like a loss."

He supported Andrew Strauss's tactics in batting on to leave a target of 503 although England's continued struggle to take 20 wickets remains a concern. Since the back-to-back series against New Zealand last year England have only bowled a side out twice on one occasion - against South Africa at The Oval.

"Declaration-wise it allowed the captain to set attacking fields throughout the day and I suppose the proof is in the pudding," Flower said. "We didn't get 10 wickets, we only got nine of them. There have been a few cases, so we have to examine why. Are we doing the right things with reverse swing? Are we bowling reverse swing in the right way? Are our spinners having the right effect in the last innings? Questions have to be asked."

England have a two-day game starting on Sunday to give their squad players and outing and the match may include Ravi Bopara and Amjad Khan, who have been called in as cover for Andrew Flintoff. They are only due to arrive from the Lions tour of New Zealand shortly before the game, but England will want to assess their options.