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Rediff.com  » Sports » Fletcher wants to stay on as England coach

Fletcher wants to stay on as England coach

December 19, 2006 11:38 IST
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Duncan Fletcher wants to stay on as England coach despite his team's heavy Ashes defeat but plans to reconsider his long-term future over the next six months.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said Fletcher's position would be reviewed after next year's World Cup in the West Indies.

Fletcher told a news conference in Perth on Tuesday that he wanted to remain in charge through to the World Cup but would consider all his options after that.

"I'll just make up my own mind," he told reporters. "It might be a move in six months. But I'll make up my mind.

"I'll have a look at where I've been and where I want to go...and I'll continue in that way."

Fletcher has borne the brunt of criticism for England's below-par performances after they lost the first three Tests to surrendered the Ashes with two matches to spare.

Most of the criticism has centred around England's short preparation time and the makeup of the team, especially the selection of spinner Ashley Giles ahead of Monty Panesar for the first two Tests and the choice of wicketkeeper Geraint Jones instead of Chris Read.

But the 58-year-old Fletcher said the team's preparation and selections were not to blame for their defeat and everyone had to accept responsibility for the result.

"How do you measure whether they were under-cooked or over-cooked or whether it was the pressure or not the pressure?," he said.

"The (selection) system has worked...this is the second series we've lost in 11 and we often hear out here, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

"There's blame on all us. Everyone has got to be blamed on how we performed, on how we selected."

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Source: REUTERS
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