Ashes 2013-14: Alastair Cook and Andy Flower to remain as captain and coach respectively

The ECB chief executive David Collier has given his backing to the under-fire pair

England coach Andy Flower (L) and captain Alastair Cook (R) look set to continue in their roles despite coming under-fire for the dismal Ashes series performance (GETTY IMAGES)

England team director Andy Flower and captain Alastair Cook have been given the green light to remain in their jobs despite the prospect of a 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier has offered his full support for both Flower and Cook following a chastening winter Down Under.

Flower's position has most significantly come under question with the 45-year-old - who had led England to a hat-trick of Ashes successes - suggesting this week that he was determined to remain and build a new England team.

Collier is certain Flower is the man most qualified to do that.

"We need that experience. When you got through a transitional period you need somebody with knowledge, somebody who knows our system, somebody who works with all of our key coaches," he told Sky Sports News.

"Andy has all of those attributes and more.

"I'm sure he'll do a great job leading us into 2015."

Cook's captaincy has also come under the spotlight - with his batting seemingly suffering as a consequence - in what has been his first series defeat since taking over the reins just over a year ago.

In that time the left-hander has led England to a memorable series win in India, as well as the summer's 3-0 Ashes success.

"Alastair fully deserves our support," Collier said.

"People do grow into the job. Captains mature, players mature. It will take some time for people to reach their absolute pinnacle. We were convinced he was the right man at the time and we're still convinced today.

"We look forward to both Alastair and Andy leading us to success in the future."

When England were whitewashed in Australia seven years ago the ECB responded by conducting the Schofield Report which looked at every element of the game.

Collier ruled out the need for such a review again this time around, but admitted there was a pressing need to "re-stock" for the year ahead.

"We are not going to do a review of that nature, but we will do a full debrief and learn the lessons that we need to learn from this tour," he said.

"We have to look back and reflect on what has gone right and what has gone wrong and learn from lessons from it.

"We've had a great run coming into this series. In 13 Test matches coming into the series we'd won 10 and drew three. It had been a good year to start with but clearly we need to re-stock for 2014."

PA