From: yelton@uful08.phys.ufl.edu (John M. Yelton)
Subject: Re: Fletcher:  Who is he.....  
Organization: University of Florida, Gainesville
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 93 02:40:23 GMT

In article <1993Jan6.194847.22003@walter.bellcore.com> shamim@bellcore.com (Shamim Naqvi) writes:
>> Leadership with a quiet word
>> 
>> Scyld Berry , The Independent, Jan 03, Sport Page , Page 26 
>> 
>> 
>> 	When asked by the  TCCB for their recommendation, the  England Test
>> committee put forward no candidate except Fletcher to succeed Micky Stewart
>> (a name like  Bob Woolmer, Warwickshire's  coach, could at least  have been
>> considered, even if Ray Illingworth and Geoff Boycott are too busy with the
>> media).  
>
>It is clear that the TCCB has sold out to Gooch and Mickey Stewart and
>their blue collar ethic completely. Gooch has effectively removed
>Atherton from the vice captaincy and installed Alec Stewart who will
>undoubtedly be England's next captain, probably after the Ashes
>series. Gower has been sacked despite his talent and loyalty while
>Gatting and Emburey, after raking in thousands of Krugerrands and
>spitting in the face of the TCCB, are back in favour. And now it is
>Fletcher and Gooch, the Essex combo. No wonder Ray Ill. or Boycott
>were not even considered. Boycott was openly critical of England this
>summer vs Pakistan and there was no way the TCCB was going to let him
>get in. In fact he was sacked as the batting coach and did not
>participate in the Lillishall training camp. And of course we all know
>that Fletch and Boycott do not get along. 
>
>As for Fletcher and his credentials, winning on the county circuit is
>quite a bit different from winning and playing test cricket. The
>sub-continent remembers him as a petulant player who batted dourly at
>best. India is not in the best of form at the moment but I have a
>feeling that it will not be easy for England this winter. 
>
I don't understand how anyone could imagine Boycott being in charge
of anything in India. It isn't just Fletcher that he doesn't get
along with, but all the England players of the time. As one of them
once said "Sometimes being on tour with Boycott is a bit of a pain,
the rest of the time it's much worse than that". Boycott knows 
tactics as well as anyone but as a man-manager he was, and always 
will be a disaster. 
 Atherton lost the vice-captaincy because of his serious back injury.
It would be odd in the extreme if he were to captain England at this
time. He is only 24, has had an up and down test career, and he is
not even captain of his county - Fairbrother is. 
 I too, am nervous about Fletcher being in charge in India. I am from
Essex myself and know the respect that Essex players/supporters have for
him as a county captain. He led a happy and very successful team for
many years with quiet authority. When he took over as captain of
England for the India tour I hoped he could do the same again - 
however he clearly found that India trip a big strain. Gooch has tried
to get that same family feeling in the Essex and England team that he
grew up with under Fletcher at Essex. However his marriage split-up
(he was always portrayed as a great family man) may make it 
difficult for him to concentrate of cricket. It's not clear to me
that Fletcher will be the right person to help Gooch. 
 England's first match doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence,
either. At least India has nothing to lose - nobody expects them to 
do well!
  john Yelton
>	--SAN


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