By Denzil Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network
London, Jul 20:Strange as it may sound, former Zimbabwe captain Duncan Fletcher is all set to change the course of the forthcoming Test series between hosts England and India. After being a successful England coach from 1999 to 2007 who guided them to a historic Ashes win in 2005 against Australia, Fletcher has now taken charge of the Indian cricket team just before the recent Caribbean tour by India last month. And, despite a depleted India side without Dhoni, Tendulkar, Gambhir, Yuvraj and Sehwag on the trip to the West Indies, he managed to get his side win the series. And hot on that fine start, he is now picking every kind of tricks from his old bag to outbeat England.
Just as India get set to play their 100th test against England at the hallowed Lord’s cricket ground on coming Thursday (July 21), Fletcher will be determined to prove that he is an established coach just like his predecessor Gary Kirsten from South Africa who was a runaway success while coaching Team India.
Having left England in 2007, the Zimbabwean knows every English cricketer like the back of his palm. The Indian captain, M.S.Dhoni will have his job made easier with Fletcher telling the captain how to tackle the opposition. Fletcher looked after the fortunes of the England team when he was their coach and was a big hit with the players.
The England players reckon that Fletcher will be able to pass on some useful tips or hints which will benefit the Indian side.
Although it is 4 years after he left the England job, Fletcher being a great thinker and motivator is still going to play a vital role in India’s progress in England. He has been with the England side at various occasions and several England players feel that Fletcher will have a good insight about the England players throughout the series.
Current India coach Fletcher is known to be a quiet operator going about his job in his own professional manner. He was the prime reason for England’s triumph against Australia in the Ashes series in 2005 and was with them for at least 8 fruitful years. He knows almost everyone from the England team including their strengths and weaknesses.
Described as an unbelievable cricket brain by England batsman Ian Bell. Fletcher is now on a high. After a satisfying series win against West Indies earlier in the Caribbean, Fletcher now wants to stamp his class by defeating England on their own backyard. Playing on home soil under captain Andrew Strauss England will be determined to outplay the Indians. He has been described as an incredible coach by several England players for his knowledge of the game and ability to put plans into winning.
With advanced technology, now every team has volumes of information on all the international players. At the touch of a button and mention of the player you can get all kinds of statistics and information on his performances. But for coach Fletcher the added benefit of being former England coach will go a long way in helping the Indians as they troop out for their first Test against England at Lord’s on coming Thursday.
Coach Duncan Fletcher will be keen to do one better than former coach Gary Kirsten and prove to everyone that he is as good as any in the business of coaching.
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