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LONDON. — Coach Andy Flower has denied issuing an ultimatum that would result in either him or batsman Kevin Pietersen quitting the England cricket team. Several newspapers reported Flower was prepared to resign if Pietersen remained part of the set-up following a humiliating Ashes tour.

But Flower said: “The reports I have issued an ultimatum of some description to the ECB are totally inaccurate.”
Pietersen tweeted he was “shocked and saddened” by the reports.

The 33-year-old added: “I wish to repeat my strong desire to continue playing for my country and to help us regain the Ashes in 2015.”
England rose to number one in the world Test rankings in August 2011 and completed their third consecutive Ashes series victory with a 3-0 home win over Australia in the summer of 2013.

But the tourists surrendered the Ashes last month and were eventually beaten in all five Tests in Australia to slip to fourth  in the rankings.

Ahead of a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in June and a five-Test series against world number two side India a month later, Flower has said he wants to stay and rebuild the England side.

But the 45-year-old insisted in a statement that no decisions have yet been made as to how that rebuild will take shape. — BBC Sport.