October 18 Friday 2002
Australia have reason to beware Fletcher

LONDON: The Australians have good reason to be wary of England coach Duncan Fletcher, who has combined with Nasser Hussain to revive his team's fortunes over the last three years.

At the 1983 World Cup, Fletcher scored an unbeaten 69 and then took four wickets as Zimbabwe sent Australians into shock with a famous 13-run victory. Fletcher retired before Zimbabwe graduated to the Test arena, but the qualities of determination and attention he helped instil in his fledgling team have ensured his later success as a coach. Uncomfortable in the limelight, preferring deeds to words, Fletcher will be the man in the background as England attempt to wrest the Ashes back from Australia for the first time in 15 years.

"This winter has got to be the biggest challenge yet," Fletcher said after his contract was extended to 2004 on Wednesday. "Not only Australia, the biggest tour you can go on, but then the World Cup that everyone looks forward to playing in."By his own admission, Hussain was scarcely aware of Fletcher before he took over from David Lloyd in 1999. Hussain, himself, had endured his bleakest day in a volatile international career when he was booed and jeered by spectators at the Oval after an under-rated New Zealand team clinched an unlikely 2-1 series victory.

With Bangladesh yet to enter the Test arena most commentators rated England as the worst team in the world. "Their (New Zealand's) visit was supposed to provide the springboard for England's revival," commented Wisden. 

"Instead it sent them plunging to new depths." The pairing of the Essex boy from Chennai and the unassuming Zimbabwean was not an instant success as England lost in South Africa. However, the signs were promising. Hussain responded to the pressure of captaincy by topping the batting averages and Fletcher imposed order on what had been a sometimes chaotic set-up. Since then the improvement has been steady, with series wins over the West Indies at home in 2000 followed by away victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

A powerful Australian side won again in 2001 and England struggled in India and New Zealand before returning home to beat Sri Lanka and draw with India.

Fletcher, 54, remains optimistic. "I think we're going to have a very good Test side over the next two, three or four years because there are a lot of young players knocking at the door," he said.

With Fletcher's quiet support, Hussain has flourished as a captain, and is now probably the best England leader since Mike Brearley more than 20 years ago. He has been quick to pay tribute to the man behind the scenes. "We have a coach who gives full support in the difficult times and a team which works hard," said Hussain. 

"That is where Duncan has been so brilliant. There are certain things that he's so crystal clear about that I didn't have in my first series against New Zealand. I'd have found this job much more difficult if I hadn't got on with the people around me or if I didn't believe in them."