Fraser calls for change

The calls for Duncan Fletcher to be replaced as England coach are growing louder with every feeble World Cup performance. The problem for everyone involved is that there isn't much time. Even if England leave the Caribbean after the Super Eights, it is only three weeks before the first Test against West Indies at Lord's. Angus Fraser, in The Independent, says that regardless of what happens over the next few matches it is the time for a fresh perspective.

Those of us who have followed the England team closely this winter have seen the life slowly sucked out of the squad. The criticism in the aftermath of England's 5-0 Ashes defeat hurt Fletcher deeply and it has affected his approach to the job. In public, he walks around stony-faced looking like the world is against him. He barely acknowledges the media, even though we see and work with him on a daily basis.

Fraser goes onto say that England's game has gone backwards since the Ashes success in 2005.

The victory over Australia has brought arrogance and complacency to the England set-up, too. One of Fletcher's aims when he took charge was to create a tight unit of players that fed off himself, the assistant coaches he appointed and themselves. He prevented outsiders from becoming involved or coaches that he could not control.