October 17 Thursday 2002
England coach Fletcher gets contract extension

LONDON: England coach Duncan Fletcher had his contract extended by a year it was announced Wednesday. 

The former Zimbabwe captain's present deal was due to run out in September 2003 and both he and England skipper Nasser Hussain were keen to have a new contract in place ahead of the team's departure for the Ashes series in Australia. 

"I'm pleased that this issue has been resolved now so that I can fully focus on the Ashes and the World Cup freed from any unnecessary distractions," said Fletcher in a statement. 

"International cricket is a hard taskmaster but I feel that I have plenty more to offer in the job," Fletcher added. 

"We have already laid the foundations of a successful side and the contract extension will give me the opportunity to help the England team progress still further." 

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tim Lamb said: "Over the past three years, Duncan has proved himself to be an excellent man-manager, a sound judge of talent and an astute tactician. 

"The fact that numerous England players have gone on record in praising his understanding of the game speaks volumes about his ability as a coach. 

"We are delighted to have secured Duncan's services for a further 12 months beyond next summer." 

Fletcher, 54, was appointed in 1999 after impressing at English County Championship side Glamorgan, whose then president David Morgan has just been appointed to a similar post at the ECB. 

Alongside Hussain, the pair guided England to four successive series wins for the first time since 1979 including the double victory in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2000-01. 

During the last English season, Sri Lanka were beaten 2-0 but the four match series with India was squared at 1-1. And the duo were powerless to prevent Australia retaining the Ashes 4-1 in England last year. 

Fletcher and the rest of the England party, minus Hussain who flew out last week because his wife is expecting their second child in November and could not fly any later, depart for Perth, Western Australia on Thursday. 

The first Ashes Test starts at Brisbane's Gabba ground on November 7. 

England have lost the past seven Ashes series, their last triumph coming during Mike Gatting's 1986-87 tour of Australia.