ECB: Duncan Fletcher in charge of South Africa and Zimbabwe tours (15 July 1999)

15 July 1999

ECB: Duncan Fletcher in charge of South Africa and Zimbabwe tours

ECB Media Release

England's incoming coach Duncan Fletcher will be in overall charge of the senior tour to South Africa and Zimbabwe, it was announced today.

And joining Fletcher on the tour will be Phil Neale, who will assist on all team organisational, support and administrative duties, and new senior team physiotherapist Dean Conway, currently working at Glamorgan.

In addition to these appointments, the England Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) also made their choices for The Management teams of the A team touring Bangladesh and New Zealand and the NatWest England U19 squad, bound for Malaysia and the Youth World Cup (itineraries attached).

Last winter Neale managed the England A tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa, having previously managed the NatWest England U19s on their tours of Pakistan (1996/7) and South Africa (1997/8), which included victory in the U19 World Cup.

Neale also coached England A in South Africa in 1993/4 and India in 1994/5 after a successful playing career that saw him captain Worcestershire to six domestic trophies, including the County Championship in 1988 and 1989.

Conway's elevation to physiotherapist to the senior England side comes after fulfilling the role with the England U19 and A sides, and then last winter with England one-day squads for both the Wills International Cup in Dhaka and the Carlton and United one-day series in Australia.

The Glamorgan physiotherapist takes over from Wayne Morton, who has filled the role, home and abroad, since late 1995.

International Teams Director Simon Pack said: "EMAC members were keen to ensure that the captain and coach have maximum responsibility for all activities this winter both on and off the field.

"We are confident that, together with the managerial support and experience that Phil Neale will bring and the expertise of Dean Conway, we have a top-class senior management team this winter."

Concerning the departure of Wayne Morton, Pack said: "Wayne has done an excellent job for England over a seven-year period, including three A tours prior to his time with the senior squad.

"All those associated with the England squads throughout this period will want to acknowledge his selfless contribution and commitment, and the role he has played as an integral part of The Management team.

"Nevertheless, it was felt that in this period of change, with a new captain, coach and the introduction of Phil Neale's post, the time was right to look for a fresh face in the area of physiotherapy as well."

Middlesex's Mike Gatting and Martyn Moxon of Yorkshire have been placed in charge of the A team as manager and coach respectively. Leicestershire captain James Whitaker manages the NatWest U19 tour, with Tim Boon joining him as coach, his first U19 tour since taking over from John Abrahams.

Ann Brentnall of Derbyshire and Northamptonshire's Kirk Russell have been named as physiotherapists to the A team and NatWest England U19s respectively for the second successive winter.

The winter touring parties are likely to be announced in early September. Further details will be made public in due course.

Coach: Duncan Fletcher
General Manager: Phil Neale
Physiotherapist: Dean Conway
Media Relations Officer: Brian Murgatroyd

Tour Manager: Mike Gatting
Coach: Martyn Moxon
Physiotherapist: Ann Brentnall

Tour Manager: James Whitaker
Coach: Tim Boon
Physiotherapist: Kirk Russell

ECB Corporate Affairs Department
Brian Murgatroyd
phone: 0171 432 1200/0467 76 49 47

Source :: ECB