Hussain's men receive heroes' welcome
Lord MacLaurin praised winning team Nasser Hussain and Duncan Fletcher after England received a heroes' welcome on their return to Heathrow Airport this morning
Staff and Agencies
12-Dec-2000
Lord MacLaurin praised winning team Nasser Hussain and Duncan Fletcher after England received a heroes' welcome on their return to Heathrow Airport this morning.
Following their series win against Pakistan, their first in 40 years, the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman paid tribute to the two men who have turned round England's fortunes, leading them to three consecutive series victories and their first overseas success since 1996/97, when they beat New Zealand.
"You have got two outstanding characters, and they have formed a great team
for English cricket. They have been absolutely magnificent since last year.
Duncan and his backroom team have formed a very strong backroom alliance.
"We are very grateful to them," he said.
Despite their long flight from Karachi to London, a tired-looking Hussain was still excited about the triumph in Pakistan, saying: "Finally we have some reward to bring back to the country".
"This is the best. Beating West Indies was great because of the euphoria in England at the time, winning at Lord's and stuff like that.
"But I think if we played well against West Indies we were expected to do
that. I don't think anyone gave us a chance when we went out to Pakistan for the
first time in 13 years.
"To go out there and do what we have achieved is magnificent. It is a better
performance.
"It's been a good three months away. Everything has gone very well,
and it has been very enjoyable. It's been a good year for cricket in England.
"We are just pleased to be back. We have got a couple of weeks off before
Duncan's got us running around again.
"We have just formed a team that have stuck together, not chopped and changed
too much. We believe in each other, try to stay in games and not look too far
ahead, play for each other; all cliches, but do the basics - and Duncan instils
that.
Hussain and Fletcher have proved to be a successful combination since they came together for the start of the South Africa tour last winter but it is Fletcher's man-management skills that have impressed most.
"My priority was to get a good team spirit going," he said.
"The other thing I tried to do was give the players responsibility - and
working with Nasser I think he is inexperienced but has learned very fast. He is
doing a great job.
"I just think making sure there are lines of communication within the team,
among the team and with The Management (is important)."