Fletcher: No regrets about Flintoff revelations
Duncan Fletcher has told the BBC that he has no regrets about the revelations regarding Andrew Flintoff's drinking in his autobiography
Cricinfo staff
05-Nov-2007
 |
|
Fletcher has come under considerable fire for his reveal-all book, especially in his criticism of Flintoff's behaviour in Australia last winter. "I have concerns about the level of debate that's been reached," he told the BBC's Inside Sport. "I wanted to be loyal to him [Flintoff] but loyalty should be two-way traffic.
"The secret was not revealed by me, the secret was revealed by Flintoff following the [pedalo] incident in the West Indies. From my point of view, I was really upset at the time. At that time his actions could have led to me losing my job. That's quite important; the pressures that I was under because of areas he was in control of.
"I wanted to be loyal to him but loyalty should be two-way traffic. I felt let down by the pedalo affair, I just think that I linked it directly to what happened in Sydney. If the pedalo affair hadn't taken place there's a very good chance we would have carried on managing Andrew."
Fletcher insisted that he didn't regret making Flintoff captain, and said he may well lead his country again. "I see no reason [why not]," he said. "If that foot lets him bowl as well as he can there's no reason he shouldn't captain down the line."
Fletcher was also asked about perceptions that he was too reluctant to include players such as Monty Panesar and Chris Read. "People have interpreted a personal thing," he said. "All I am trying to do is be very specific. I've always felt a finger spinner should be able to bat and field and I would rather pick a batter-wicketkeeper than a keeper-batter and he must be the pulse of the side."
Fletcher said he remained hopeful of another international coaching job after seven years "of real enjoyment" while in charge of England.