Andy Flower has said that what England currently lack is a "world class" all-rounder.

The Zimbabwean believes that another player in the mold of Andrew Flintoff is what it takes to stay at the top of the Test rankings.

"What we need is a genuine, world-class all-rounder to bat and bowl," The Mirror quotes Flower as saying. "[That is] something we've not had since Andrew Flintoff."

England won their first Test match of the year against Sri Lanka in Colombo to stay at number one in the ICC rankings.

The head coach went on to say that he was "happy and proud" at the way his side have performed during tough winter tours.

"I'm very happy and proud of the way the guys performed throughout the winter," he added. "They have worked hard at their game and I'm really happy that there is evidence of them learning.

"For a side that got to number one in the world, they are still capable of learning. That's what makes me excited."

Flower has been England's head coach since 2007.