Fletcher Resigns As England Coach

Posted April 19, 200718 yr

Duncan Fletcher has resigned as England coach and will leave after the team's last World Cup match against West Indies on Saturday.

Fletcher, 58, had come under increasing pressure after England were beaten 5-0 in the Ashes series and then failed to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

"I feel it is in the team's best interests over the long-term that I should move on," said Fletcher.

A caretaker coach is expected to be appointed within the next 48 hours.

The BBC understands that person will be England Academy director Peter Moores.

He is also in the running for the job on a permanent basis, but is expected to face competition from the likes of Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody and Dav Whatmore of Bangladesh.

Fletcher, who became England coach in 1999 and famously led England to an Ashes series victory in 2005, told the England and Wales Cricket Board on 10 April that he intended to resign after the tournament.

The ECB decided not to reveal that information because it was concerned about disrupting the England team.

Duncan Fletcher's contribution provides an excellent legacy for his successor

But the Zimbabwean's future became untenable after the team were booed off the pitch on Tuesday after a humiliating defeat by South Africa confirmed their exit from the World Cup.

Fletcher said: "Earlier in the World Cup I came to a decision about my future and I discussed stepping down as head coach with the ECB prior to England's game against Bangladesh.

"This has been a difficult winter for the team and for me personally, but I believe that my record as coach over the past eight years is one in which I can take great pride."

ECB chairman David Morgan apologised for England's lacklustre performance in the Caribbean but confirmed that Michael Vaughan would continue to lead the side.

"I have talked to the chairman of selectors and he wants Michael Vaughan to lead the side into the Test series against the West Indies," he said.

Morgan praised Fletcher for the way he had transformed England's fortunes during his eight-year reign.

He said: "He can be justifiably proud of a record which includes an Ashes Series victory over Australia, a record eight successive Test wins and Test series wins abroad in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa as well as the Commonwealth Bank series success in Australia.

"England's rise to number two in the ICC Test Championship is in no small measure due to his rigorous planning and excellent coaching skills.

"Away from the international arena, Duncan was instrumental in persuading the ECB and the counties to introduce central contracts and his contribution provides an excellent legacy for his successor.

"He leaves with our best wishes and genuine appreciation from ECB for his achievements."

Asked about the possibility of Moores taking over, Morgan said: "Peter's name has been mentioned by a lot of people and I'm sure he's a strong candidate, but I can't confirm details of any candidates.

"June or July would the latest time we would appoint Duncan's permanent replacement but I believe we can move far more quickly than that."

Not really all that suprised about this. People have been calling for his head ever since the Ashes test defeat and England have been especially poor in the World Cup this year, but on the other hand it's only 18 months since he helped England beat the Aussies in the Ashes, just goes to show how you can go from a public hero to nothing in the matter of a year or so.