Andy Flower rubbishes issuing ‘ultimatum’

England coach shoots down reports regarding Pietersen selection.

SYDNEY: Coach Andy Flower on Wednesday dismissed reports that he issued an ultimatum to England cricket chiefs over misfiring star batsman Kevin Pietersen as ‘totally inaccurate’.

English media said Flower was ready to quit unless he was given guarantees that the polarising batsman would not be selected to play under him in the fallout following the 5-0 Ashes humiliation in Australia.

Pietersen said he wants to stay and help England win back the Ashes next year on home soil.

“I wish to repeat my strong desire to continue playing for my country, and to help us regain the Ashes in 2015,” said Pietersen.

Flower said in a statement that no snap decisions would be made despite the humbling by England’s oldest rivals.

“I repeat that neither I nor the wider leadership group have made any decisions as to the future involvement of any individuals in the playing group or in the support staff.

“The reports that I have issued an ultimatum of some description to the ECB are totally inaccurate.”

Prior sorts out stranger’s priorities

England cricketers Matt Prior and Stuart Broad helped rescue a man preparing to jump off a bridge near the team hotel in Sydney.

Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday that wicket-keeper Prior helped pull the man away from the edge of the bridge in Darling Harbour and chatted to him along with fast-bowler Broad for almost an hour before New South Wales police arrived on the scene.

“We just did what anybody would do in that situation,” said Prior.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2014.

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