Fletcher’s Century
Amidst all the hype about the 2,000th Test at Lord’s, and Sachin Tendulkar’s pursuit of his 100th International century, Duncan Fletcher is due to complete 100 Tests as an International Coach.
It is a remarkable achievement in a world which is intolerable of failure, and jettisons coaches as the scapegoats, rather than players (or administrators) for the under-performance of an international team.
I first came across Duncan in Cape Town when he moved from Zimbabwe, and played for Claremont Cricket Club in Constantia. He gained selection for Western Province as an all-rounder, but played little. He was focused on a career in the computer industry and after retiring as a player, began coaching part-time at University of Cape Town (UCT) CC, where he began working with Gary Kirsten at the UCT nets. Kirsten was an off-spinner who batted at number 8 for UCT!
At the time, I was Player/Coach (in the same Western Province Premier League) for Northerns-Goodwood CC, and then Bellville CC, and enjoyed the opportunity to see Duncan at work. This was even more so, when he took up full-time coaching as the Head Coach of Western Province.
Fletcher inherited a powerful provincial team from previous coaches Robin Jackman and Hylton Ackerman, but also developed a core of talented young players himself, who would serve Western Province and South Africa well. HD Ackerman, Herschelle Gibbs, and Jacques Kallis were nurtured by ‘Fletch’, and Gary Kirsten became known in cricketing circles as his prodigal son.
‘Fletch’ famously hauled Kirsten out of the pub in Cape Town and told him he could be a Test cricketer, and to stop wasting his time by ‘playing’ at the game. Kirsten changed his lifestyle, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Gary Kirsten’s journey has been a remarkable testimony to his mentor’s ability to inspire and nurture. The irony of the present situation, is that ‘Fletch’ is the Head Coach of Team India largely because of Gary’s strong recommendation, as well as his success as England Coach.
Over the past three years, Gary was a phenomenally successful coach of India, especially when one considers he had no formal experience of coaching a cricket team, let alone an international one. However, he knows the game inside out and has a passion for learning and life, added to a rare humility in top sportsmen. His relationship with ‘Fletch’ has been a key factor in his progress in the game, and the two have become firm friends.
‘Fletch’ is an interesting cove. He is regarded as taciturn, and very few perople claim to know him properly. Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England opening batsman penned his autobiography ‘Behind the Shades’ after his tenure as England’s Coach, and also played for him at Glamorgan when they won the County Championship. However, he doesn’t claim to ‘know’ him.
Nasser Hussain was thrust into a working relationship with ‘Fletch’ in 1999 when the two were appointed as Captain and Coach respectively of a ‘new’ England. They started off inauspiciously, with England 2 for 4 wickets on the morning of the 1st Test at The Wanderers, Johannesburg, and lost in four days. However, they formed a trusting and mutually respectful alliance to lead England out of the doldrums and towards Ashes success in 2005. Hussain has a deep affection for his former England Coach, as does Michael Vaughan, and key members of the teams who played for him.
Therein lies what I believe is the ‘secret’ of Duncan Fletcher’s continued success – his ability to build trusted relationships with the key lieutenants in his cricket teams. While some of his coaching peers may prefer to get their administrative bosses on side (sometime at the expense of their coaching charges) ‘Fletch’ has always built a tightness around his core group of senior players. However, loyalty in sport only goes so far if you can’t make a difference to a player’s game. This is where he excels – his tactical and technical input is carefully thought through and skilfully communicated to ensure maximum impact. Players never forget such input as it can make or break a career.
One of his most trusted men, is my good friend Eric Simons, a man of great integrity. Eric was a key player for ‘Fletch’ at Western Province, then became his successful Captain, and went on to become the South Africa Head Coach. He is now Assistant Coach to Team India, having originally been appointed by Gary Kirsten. To see Simons and Fletcher together again, running a cricket team, does not bode well for opponents. They are experienced, wise men who mean business.
For ‘Fletch’ the return to Lord’s for his 100th Test as an International Coach, will possibly spring a few regrets too. His departure as England Coach was ignominious. Losing an Ashes Series 5-0 in Australia was humiliating for all involved, and the World Cup performance in the West Indies which followed, was similarly woeful. His departure from English Cricket was a loss - he should have been nurturing the next generation of England players and coaches, as his coaching experience and technical expertise is peerless. His ability to spot talent is impressive as both Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan’s careers testify. Both were doing ok at best in County Cricket, but the then England Coach saw past their form, and recognised the qualities which could enable them to develop and succeed in the highest form of the game.
His subsequent consultancy roles have helped New Zealand, Hampshire and his home country South Africa, where his calmness and tactical input contributed to their series win in Australia two years ago. Jacques Kallis has also benefitted from the re-connection, and has taken his game to another level in the period too, thus making him an increasingly invaluable cricketer for South Africa.
When India steps out at Lord’s on Thursday, Duncan Fletcher can feel very proud of his achievement and despite his reputation, will probably afford himself a quiet smile at the rewarding journey he has trod, and be excited about the next steps.
