England cricket coach Flower ready to wield axe

Jamaica (West Indies), Feb.9 (ANI): England cricket team coach Andy Flower has said that he is ready to wield the axe on under-performing players in the wake of the First Test defeat against the West Indies.

"International cricket is about dealing with pressure. Batting in that second innings was a pressure situation and we did not handle it. We imploded. It has happened too often to us. But we will learn from it and come out stronger for the second Test in Antigua on Friday," Flower was quoted, as saying.

"As a team, we have under-performed and it's all our jobs to do something about that - and if we don't we will be out of jobs," he added.

"The guys are very hurt. Playing for your country is a very proud moment for anyone. They are not only playing for themselves, their careers and their team, they are playing for their country and the people that come to watch. A lot of the guys have delivered before in that situation, but yesterday none did and no one is proud about what happened," 40-year-old Flower said.

"We had a brief chat in the dressing room, but it was not about harsh words. It is time for reflection and learning. Players are talking among themselves today and we will have our team meeting tomorrow," he added. (ANI)