Andy Flower's future as England cricket coach under question
Having surrendered the Ashes, England must now make a decision: change the team or find a new man to rejuvenate a demoralised side?
England's calamitous Ashes loss with two tests to spare has sparked the usual calls for heads to roll in all departments, but it remains to be seen whether coach Andy Flower will man the guillotine or put his own neck on the chopping block.
The architect of England's rise to the pinnacle of test cricket, however brief the reign, Flower is contracted until the end of the five-test series Down Under, but has given no indication as to whether he intends to stay on.
"We have two tests and I am hungry to do well in those games," the 45-year-old former Zimbabwe captain told the BBC after his side lost the third test and the series in Perth. "That is as far as I am looking at the moment."
Flower has ruled England with what has been described as an iron fist, with meticulous planning and attention to detail, a trait that caused some mirth Down Under when excerpts from an 82-page dossier of England's dietary requirements on tour were published in Australian media last month.
Whether Flower has the stomach to sign another contract is likely to be settled by how the team respond to their lowest ebb since being whitewashed 5-0 in the 2006-07 series.
If you are going to build another team to challenge the world it requires mental strength and strong desire from the coach
Flower may not feel all that committed if the team crash to further losses in the fourth test in Melbourne and the fifth and final match in Sydney.