Fletcher unhappy with packed schedule

Duncan Fletcher, England's coach, is far from happy with his team's schedule, complaining that the balance between playing and time spent practising is not right. Fletcher said that the amount of one-on-one coaching he is able to do with players is insufficient.

"It's all about getting the balance right," Fletcher explained. "It would be nice if we had a break of about two or three weeks before a tour so we could get them together and go through certain things. I want them to develop in their games but you can't do that sort of thing during the season and we're not alone in that because everybody is saying the same - we just have to hope we can slot it in at some stage."

England are in the middle of a three-week spell during which time they will play as many as ten one-day internationals, and no sooner is that finished than the five-Test series against South Africa gets underway. England then play Bangladesh and Sri Lanka before Christmas, moving on to the Caribbean next February before returning home for the most hectic summer of cricket yet, ending with the ICC Champions Trophy next September.

Fletcher explained that while he had plenty of time with players, he was unable to make any significant changes to their techniques. "It's very difficult because on days like today you have to have a light practice. You don't want to start new innovations because they have a game and they have to establish themselves. It's better they get in and establish themselves and then you can start changing things. If we change something small now and then they don't perform, everybody will be jumping on them."

Given the increasing amount of international cricket foisted on players, it is not a situation which is likely to get any easier.