Somerset boss responds to Duncan Fletcher comments regarding domestic cricket

Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson has once again sprung to the defence of English cricket by responding fiercely to the comments made by England coach Duncan Fletcher that one of the main reasons behind the recent defeat in the Ashes series was that too much domestic cricket is played in this country.

As he looked out over a frozen County Ground he told me: " I am amazed that the England coach Duncan Fletcher has raised his head above the parapet firing his scatter gun in the direction of the counties. It is not the counties that have just lost the Ashes it is his players and by definition his coaching."

He continued: "The fact of the matter is that Duncan Fletcher with central contracts has the pick of the best players in England and Wales who he controls and under his control they can play as much or as little county cricket as he wishes. The only codicil to that is that centrally contracted players have top play in the quarter finals, the semi finals and the final of the one remaining cup competition, the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy."

The chief executive continued: "He needs to major in several areas himself. Firstly he needs to understand the revolution that has taken place in some if not all the county cricket clubs, and that revolution operates at two levels. The first level is the professional preparation and planning to play against the opposition involving the use of computer imaging equipment and it's interpretation, and the second level is the technical qualifications of county coaches with regard to preaching the right techniques be that batting, bowling or fielding."

"Secondly, the information being imparted to up and coming young players by both the regional and the county Academy system will make them better technically and prepare them better for life as a professional sportsman."

Mr Anderson went on: "He therefore has to manage his time so that he can coach his centrally contracted players as to the right techniques and if he hasn't got that knowledge then I suggest he goes on an E.C.B. coaching course. He also needs to liase with county coaches on a regular basis to identify those likely to play for England (and it cannot be everybody) and discuss those that currently are."

He continued: "The real question about those that are currently playing for England is do they have technical flair, fitness or temperament flaws that interfere with their ability to play cricket and if they have what is he doing about it. If he hasn't the time then what is he asking the county coaches to do about it?"

The Somerset boss concluded: "My opinion is that Duncan Fletcher, a very experienced and determined performer himself, has been successful at rejuvenating England against all the other nations and he should take full credit. However like all other cricket nations England have come a cropper against Australia and I am surprised that a man of his maturity and judgement should seek to lash out against the first class counties when they are trying to do their best."