Fletcher counts on English experience

Fletcher took over as the new coach of the world champions earlier this month, signing a two year contract. The 62-year-old, who helped England regain the Ashes in 2005, said he was banking on his past experience of the region to excel in his new role.

In sub-continent conditions, I have had fairly good results in the past with back-to-back series wins in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, he said in a statement from his base in India. For the vastly-talented side to continue its dominance, Fletcher called for mutual respect among the players and technical staff.

You have to gain the players respect and they have to gain my respect. Once you have that then it makes your job easier. It’s something you just have to work on as time progresses. “I have worked with some big players elsewhere as well and you have just got to develop this man-management process. I am in a place where one cannot have a dictatorial role. It is not about dictating to the Indian players how I want them to play but surely to some degree you have to try influencing them but it is about offering advice to the players and it is up to them to take it on board, he added.

This is new challenge for me I had a bit of advice from Kirsten and bowling coach Eric Simmons. I had another chat with (Indian) skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It is a very exciting job, coaching the world champion team. It’s a high profile job.

Fletcher took over from World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten. He is former Zimbabwean cricketer, formerly captain of the senior team.

Fletcher is largely credited with rejuvenating the fortunes of the then flagging English team, with the team rising from bottom of the Test rankings to second under his tenure as coach. His biggest matches since his appointments are a series of One Day and Test Internationals in England later this year.