Fletcher to decide his own future

England and Wales Cricket Board chairman David Morgan says Duncan Fletcher's job as coach is secure despite dismal results in Australia.

Following the Ashes series whitewash England have been bowled out for 120 and 110 in their last two defeats in the one-day series.

But Morgan told BBC Radio Five Live: "I don't anticipate him going. That is my assessment of the position."

Fletcher, 58, and the ECB will review matters at the end of the World Cup.
But asked whether Fletcher, who has been in charge since 1999, was likely to be coach for the first Test against West Indies in May, Morgan said: "I think that is likely to be the position, yes."

A day after Sri Lanka's highly-rated coach Tom Moody ruled himself out of the Australian job - effectively offering himself as a candidate to succeed Fletcher - Morgan added: "We've sounded out no other coach at all."

"Duncan is on a staff contract, he's rated very highly as an international cricket coach and I still believe he can bring some good out of this tour"

David Morgan

Bob Woolmer has openly declared his interest in the job after the World Cup, but Welshman Morgan suggested there would be no vacancy until Fletcher decided to walk himself.

Morgan, 69, has a close relationship with Fletcher since they were chairman and coach, respectively, of Glamorgan since the mid-1990s.

Zimbabwe-born Fletcher has faced mounting criticism since November, however, and Morgan admitted results had been "hugely disappointing" in Australia.

But he refused to lay the blame for England's failings on Fletcher's door.

"It's been open season since the end of the first Test in Brisbane," he said.

"Duncan is on a staff contract, he's rated very highly as an international cricket coach and I still believe he can bring some good - along with the team - out of this tour.

"Duncan has the same sort of future as any other senior executive employed by the ECB.

"He's not the subject of a fixed term contract, which is the case with most other international coaches.

"Duncan Fletcher is a thoroughly good, thoroughly professional cricket coach."

Morgan said he had not asked Fletcher directly whether he was keen to remain in his role long term.

But he added: "I've great confidence in him. He was applauded by the media for playing an important part in winning the Ashes in 2005.

"It's the same Duncan Fletcher, it's the same England coach, it's the same techniques and I believe that it can work."