But apparently England have possessed a negativity and, according to some, an arrogance that has irked. That charge of arrogance has been mainly made by Australians, which is side-splittingly funny in itself. One only had to listen to debutant James Faulkner upbraiding England’s first-innings batting at the Oval to confirm that.
England and Flower were not being arrogant in selecting Kerrigan and Woakes. Yes, the results of that selection were disappointing, but the rationale was hardly ridiculous.
They thought the pitch would spin like a top. They had summoned Kerrigan in case of that eventuality, with Woakes to accompany him, because a four-man attack, including a debutant, would have been too risky.
It might also be worth pointing out that Kerrigan actually has a better first-class bowling average, albeit in a much shorter career, than both Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar.
But a farce it was, apparently, and the subsequent condemnation merely continued a year of frustration with Flower and his team: from not enforcing the follow-on against New Zealand to accusations of a ban on Ashes talk, to outrages against the spirit of the game, to more negative cricket and interviews perceived as anodyne from all concerned, to finally the story that players had urinated on the Oval pitch during the Ashes celebrations.
There is little doubt that Flower’s relationship with the media has deteriorated significantly.
He is clearly wearied by the constant criticisms, often appearing prickly and increasingly reserved and, in turn, there are gripes about his accessibility and that of senior players.
I should stress that I have not heard or read one person calling for Flower’s head - although I reckon a few would have done so had he made comments anything like those delivered on radio by Australia coach Darren Lehmann about Broad.
They were simply disgraceful, but instead of the jovial Lehmann the Australian media has fixed it sights squarely on Flower, with the likes of arch Pom-baiter Malcolm Conn talking of his “command bunker mentality” and his players’ interviews being “as colourful as a concrete driveway”. It was little surprise that it was Conn who broke ‘Splashgate’.
Yes, that behaviour was poor but it was hardly a heinous crime. When England went to Australia in 2010-11, the local media were like pussycats, resigned to defeat from the outset. They have clearly decided to rectify that during these two Ashes series.
I spoke to Flower last week. It was an off-the-record chat between old mates, and he obviously would not reveal any thoughts about his future (“you are still a journo” he always says), but I do not think he will mind my revealing that what was striking were the similarities between him and Duncan Fletcher in his later days as England coach.
The Zimbabwean accent was the same but so, too, was the mood. What is remarkable is that Fletcher had just endured a 5-0 Ashes whitewash in 2007; Flower has just won 3-0. These truly are curious times.
The speculation about Flower’s future began during the Oval Test when it was first mentioned, buried deep, in an article on the Cricinfo website. Then there was a story in the Sunday People that Flower will stand down after this winter’s Ashes.
I think there is some truth in these stories. I do not know for certain, but it would be no huge surprise should he go after this winter’s Ashes.
However, the suggestion that his employers at the England and Wales Cricket Board feel “he has run his course” and want to move him on is frankly preposterous.
Flower will go of his own accord. In my 2012 book The Plan, about the transformation of English cricket overseen by Flower and Fletcher, I wrote that I could not see Flower lasting more than two years in his position. That was before his job-share with Giles, who will certainly replace him full-time in due course.
Back-to-back Ashes means that leading the Test team is a stressful and time-consuming job. And this summer has been especially traumatic with a relative of Flower’s suffering a stroke while on holiday.
Flower travelled abroad between the second and third Tests to help. Thankfully, a good recovery is being made.
Hugh Morris’s resignation has not affected Flower’s thoughts - Morris only told him during the Oval Test – although Flower will doubtless assess the identity of Morris’ successor, for whom the England and Wales Cricket Board is already searching, before making a final decision.
And we can rule out Flower replacing Morris. That will not happen. It is a job Flower could do, of course, but he would probably need some breathing space away first.
England will struggle mightily to find a better man than Flower, but, if this is to be his last series this winter, then maybe we should cherish him a little more.
The importance of the peripherals is being exaggerated. Flower has created a winning culture, and it is not anywhere near as blinkered and unfeeling as some suggest.
How about we enjoy what is still a golden era for English cricket?
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