Flower rules out rushed decision

England coach Andy Flower insists there needs to be a period of reflection before Andrew Strauss' future as one-day international captain is decided.

Both Flower and Strauss insist any changes must not be rushed ahead of the summer series against India and Sri Lanka following their World Cup quarter-final elimination, by 10 wickets at the hands of the Sri Lankans.

"Straussy and I talked about this briefly when a story broke speculating about his one-day future," said the coach. "We have discussed it, and certainly he shouldn't be making any decisions right now - and he's not."

He added: "He's got a few weeks off with his family at home, and so have I."

They will reconvene in six weeks or so, at a debrief which will be chaired by England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Hugh Morris.

"We will be discussing this subject," added Flower.

"He's still a very important part of England's cricket future - and whether that includes one-day cricket or not, let's clear our minds, have a couple of weeks away from each other and we will have a clearer idea of the situation and the way forward."

The 34-year-old opener's Test leadership is, of course, unquestioned - especially after England's historic Ashes victory in Australia.

But as planning inevitably begins again, after this World Cup watershed, for England's next attempt to win the competition for the first time - in 2015 - they will be aware Strauss is unlikely to still be at the helm at the age of 38.