Fletcher praises Flintoff's leadership

Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, has supported Andrew Flintoff's captaincy, saying that he has done a "great job" in his two Tests at the helm, and despite losing at Mohali. Flintoff was appointed captain following Michael Vaughan's departure, and has the challenge of lifting England from a 1-0 deficit when the third Test starts at Mumbai on Saturday.

Fletcher, however, has backed Flintoff for his leadership skills. "He's got a very, very difficult job here. He's an allrounder - he's got to bowl, bat and captain the side," he told reporters. "It's a huge amount of work that he's got to do and he's done very well with a very inexperienced side. There's only one person over 30."

Fletcher said the lack of experience cost England at Mohali. "It's a very difficult ask for these young guys. We've got four major players out and four new boys in the side," he said. "There were periods when we did play well, but we just weren't consistent enough. It's always with young sides, as I've repeated on numerous occasions, about consistency. Experience tends to give you the consistency that's required."

With the batting being a worry, Fletcher remained hopeful of his side showing more patience in the crease. "It's been shown on these wickets that people who go in there and really work at their innings and show a bit of patience get the rewards," he said.

Geoff Boycott, the former England opener, agreed with Fletcher that the batting would be key to a win in Mumbai. "Somebody has got to make a hundred in each match. I only feel Pietersen and Flintoff are really going to dictate terms and that is the difference," he told BBC Five Live.

"I thought that Flintoff batted absolutely superbly in both innings and showed how England should be playing Kumble by getting a big stride in and getting forward. We don't have quality spin and that's a factor in India - they have Kumble - so therefore you have to match them in the batting, and I don't think we do."