Ashes 2013: Andy Flower wants change to bad light rules

England coach Andy Flower has called for a change to bad-light regulations after his side missed out on a dramatic win in the final Ashes Test on Sunday.

Chasing 227, England were 21 runs short of their target with four overs remaining when bad light forced the players off the field at The Oval.

Flower said the International Cricket Council needed to amend its rules.

"In my opinion, it should be whether the contest between bat and ball is reasonable and fair," he said.

Australia captain Michael Clarke had declared his side's second innings on 111-6 in a bid to force a result.

Having been criticised for their slow batting in the first innings, England quickly set about reaching their target, helped by Kevin Pietersen's quick-fire 62 and 59 from Jonathan Trott.

They were in sight of sealing their first 4-0 win in a home Ashes series when the umpires took the players from the field, much to the displeasure of those at the ground.

"Where I think the ICC could improve the regulations - and we have spoken with their officials about this for years - is the description that they use when judging bad light," said Flower.

"They say they consider if it is dangerous or not. It is often not dangerous: it's a poor description of that particular regulation.

"If there are spinners bowling, under their regulations at the moment it almost means you could play until it is dark because it's obviously not dangerous.

"They do need to change the regulations. Cricket will be better for it."

ECB chairman Giles Clarke echoed Flower's comments, vowed to take the matter up with the ICC and called the rules "unacceptable".

"It's totally unsatisfactory," Clarke told BBC Radio 5 live. "We've had a magnificent match and I'm afraid to say the rules are clearly completely unacceptable."

He said David Richardson, the ICC's chief executive officer, should have addressed the issue long before Sunday's incident and added that he expected the ICC to act at its next board meeting in October.

When asked if he would be making a representation to the ICC, Clarke added: "I'll be doing a little bit more than that."

Flower also took the opportunity to quash speculation about his future as coach of England's Test side when he spoke to media on Monday, having stepped down as one-day and Twenty20 coach last year,

"I don't look too far ahead as regards to my own personal situation," said the Zimbabwean.

"We've got the challenge of an away Ashes coming up, but at the moment we're reflecting on a job well done by the players.

"They should feel very proud of themselves and very satisfied. Winning away in Australia is a tough ask, but we know that we are capable of it."