Duncan Fletcher

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Duncan Fletcher (left) talking to Michael Atherton after England's defeat at the MCG in 2006.

For the American Senator and lawyer, see Duncan U. Fletcher

Duncan Andrew Gwynne Fletcher OBE (born 27 September 1948 in Salisbury (now Harare), Zimbabwe) is a former Zimbabwean cricketer and coach of the English cricket team since June 1999. Fletcher is largely credited with rejuvenating the fortunes of the then flagging English team, achieving famous series victories away to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa between 2000-2004. In 2004 England won an English record equalling 7 consecutive tests, beating New Zealand 3-0 and West Indies 4-0 at home respectively. His most famous and largest achievement however came in September 2005 he became the first coach of the English team to win an Ashes series for 18 years when England secured 2-1 victory over Australia. Fletcher was Zimbabwe's first-ever one-day international captain, leading them to their famous victory at the 1983 cricket World Cup over Australia. Fletcher also captained Zimbabwe to victory in the 1982 ICC Trophy.

On 13 September 2005 Fletcher was awarded British citizenship after a five year wait. Although both his parents and all his grandparents were English, Fletcher had been denied citizenship by virtue of the fact he spent most of his time abroad - touring with the England team. After the Ashes series win of 2005, the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, intervened to award Fletcher his long-sought citizenship.

Fletcher received criticism after preferring Ashley Giles to Monty Panesar as England's main spinner in the first two Tests of the 2006-07 Ashes series; Giles took three wickets in two Tests, while Panesar, when given the chance in the third Test, took five wickets in the first innings and three wickets in the second innings. Following defeat to Australia by 206 runs in the third test on 18 December 2006 which saw England relenquish the Ashes 15 months after gaining them, the England and Wales Cricket Board have confirmed that Fletcher's position as head coach is under review, and a poor World Cup in 2007 would more than likely see him lose his job. [1]

[edit] Trivia

Fletcher's sister, Ann Grant captained the Zimbabwe women's field hockey team which won the gold medal in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

His brother, Allan Fletcher, played seven first-class games for Rhodesia in the late 1970s.

In 2005 Fletcher became the first coach of the England cricket team to win an Ashes series against Australia for 18 years, with England winning the home series 2-1. However in the return series just 16 months later, Fletcher led England to their first Ashes whitewash defeat since the 1920/21 tour of Australia. With England losing all five of the five test series.

[edit] Reference

Cricinfo page on Duncan Fletcher

	England squad - 2007 Cricket World Cup
1 Bell \| 2 Bopara \| 3 Joyce \| 4 Pietersen \| 5 Strauss \| 6 Vaughan \| 7 Collingwood \| 8 Dalrymple \| 9 Flintoff \| 10 Nixon \| 11 Anderson \| 12 Lewis \| 13 Mahmood \| 14 Panesar \| 15 Plunkett \| Coach: Fletcher

	England squad - 2003 Cricket World Cup
1 Hussain \| 2 Stewart \| 3 Anderson \| 4 Blackwell \| 5 Caddick \| 6 Collingwood \| 7 Flintoff \| 8 Giles \| 9 Harmison \| 10 Hoggard \| 11 Irani \| 12 Knight \| 13 Trescothick \| 14 Vaughan \| 15 White \| Coach: Fletcher