How Fletcher is doing the business for England

Staff and Agencies

December 12, 2000

Duncan Fletcher, the quiet man of cricket, is letting results speak for themselves.

The England coach has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months, presiding over three Test series victories, against Zimbabwe, the West Indies and Pakistan. England have lost just twice in their last 14 Tests, a reflection of their Zimbabwean coach's steely determination to create a side that's difficult to beat.

As Australia have discovered, winning is a habit so the importance of that victory in the gloom of Karachi - particularly with a visit to Sri Lanka just around the corner and an Ashes series beckoning - cannot be over-emphasised.

"That win was very important," said Fletcher. "People expected us to beat the the West Indies, although they thought we might have a hiccup. But to go out to Pakistan and win away was a real achievement and signifies that there's a change and improvement in English cricket.

"We now have a belief that we can really compete with the best sides around. Pakistan are a very good team, playing in conditions which suited their game and their world-class spinners - and we have done very well.

"Ashley Giles has shown that we can bowl spin and our batsmen have shown that we can play spin. We now have a well balanced side capable of competing."

Even Ian Salisbury, whose performance in Pakistan with the ball was hugely disappointing, won praise from Fletcher. "Salisbury may have lacked in his bowling but he came to the fore with his batting and that's what it's all about; if you can't perform with one, then perform with the other," he said.

"That is what has been really important on this tour because we have got some all-rounders in there now who have given us that much more depth to our side."

One of the secrets of Fletcher's success has been his belief in collective responsibility.

From the very outset he set up a management committee comprising senior and young players and is regularly seen seeking players' opinions during practice sessions.

"I've tried to give the players responsibility," he said. "I genuinely believe that if you give human beings responsibility they will respond, and that is what it's really been about.

"I speak to a lot of the players about tactics and what they think we should be doing next, so they feel part of the team instead of one or two of us going off and thinking we've got it right. I don't believe that's the right way.

"I make sure I go and speak to everyone and ask them what to do each day. By doing that, people feel part of the team and pull towards the goal that you set."

He added: "There's still room for improvement. If we're going to compete with the two top sides there are areas we have to look at, but as long as the graph shows we are going up and heading in the right direction that's the most important thing."

Fletcher's success with England mirrors his time as coach at Glamorgan where, in 1997, he led the Welshmen to their first County Championship success in 28 years. And again, it was his idea for a management team of players which formed the foundations for success.

In fact, Fletcher has called upon his experience outside the game, when he took time out to go into business, to create a businesslike attitude on and off the field.

Mike Fatkin, who as Glamorgan secretary was one of the people responsible for bringing Fletcher to the county, said: "He has always said he is the consultant and the captain is the managing director.

"The great thing is he had some time out of the game when he went into business. That meant he was able to apply a few different principles. He did things differently but always with plenty of common sense."

But the "consultant" cannot transform the company alone; he needs a good "managing director".

"I do not think you can put it all just down to Duncan; I think Nasser [Hussain] is proving to be a very good captain," he said.

Hussain and Fletcher are a partnership Fatkin can see continuing to flourish through the challenges that lie ahead - and the challenges don't come much bigger than those awaiting England over the next nine months.

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