Andy Flower says that he wants to carry on as team director once England's miserable Ashes series in Australia is over.

Speculation has been rife regarding the future of Flower, whose contract comes to an end once the fifth Test in Sydney is finished, but he insists that he wants to take England into a new era.

"I do think that some things have to change, because I do think this is the ending of a certain era for this team - and after Sydney it will be the start of some fresh cycle in some way," Flower said in a press conference.

"I'd like to carry on. I love exciting challenges. I would have the appetite to do that.

"I still have confidence in my ability to lead this group in the right direction."

England trail Australia 4-0 in The Ashes, and get the final Test underway on Thursday.