Fletcher hits back at Boycott

Duncan Fletcher has hit back at the criticisms of his management style. In response to a verbal attack from Geoffrey Boycott, Fletcher defended his coaching methods and record, calling Boycott's comments a combination of the curious and unfair.

Boycott, speaking on Radio Five Live last week, accused Fletcher, among other things, of destroying county cricket. He said that by taking James Anderson out of county cricket, Fletcher was denying him the chance to bowl himself into form in the way that England fast bowlers of his era, such as Fred Trueman, had done.

Fletcher, clearly stung by the criticism, responded in today's Daily Telegraph. He said Anderson had "played non-stop county cricket up to the first Test against Zimbabwe" and "with the volume of cricket coming up, he needed time to rest and recuperate." Fletcher also tackled Boycott's assertions that he had brainwashed Nasser Hussain and was himself an invisible coach. He said: "Hussain is a strong-minded individual and perfectly capable of making his own mind up in cricketing matters. In fact I think Nasser brainwashes me at times!"

He added: "Boycott also criticised my management style, suggesting that I am not fronting up or being seen to help. I do not seek to be high-profile, whether we win or lose, but prefer an active, thoughtful and level-headed behind-the-scenes management role."

Boycott was also dismissive of England's decision to employ Troy Cooley, who had an undistinguished first-class career with Tasmania, as a bowling coach. He added that the team should consult himself or Graham Gooch on batting techniques and queries. But Fletcher said: "Great players don't necessarily make great coaches. I never saw Troy Cooley bowl, but I know he is a fine bowling coach and he came highly recommended by Rod Marsh who has played a lot of Test cricket. As for a batting coach, I like to think I have made an impact here. Players have certainly improved their success rate against the world's best spinners."

England have won only two of their last eight Test series under Fletcher and are currently 1-0 down against South Africa ahead of Thursday's third Test at Trent Bridge. Fletcher said he deserved to be judged on his overall record. "Throughout the whole of the 1990s, before I took over in 1999, the England team won seven Test series. Since the South Africa tour in 1999, when I took over, we have won six series and suffered four series defeats. Two of those were against Australia, acclaimed as one of the best sides in history, and one against India away."