Harmison hits out at Fletcher revelations

Comments: 13 

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Posted by bulawayo-bill on (November 05 2007, 13:07 PM GMT)

Teacup? Storm? Freddie might be upset by Duncans comments but who's kidding who here? Its not like Freddie earns his money out on a cricket field without sledging and being sledged. For goodness sake they are all grown men. Ontop of that there are at least five England cricketers who were with Fletch in Aussie, who will no doubt be writing books (as is the English sporting hero norm). If anything Fletch took his chance and got his bits in first. Good on him. I hope his words may serve Freddie well and help to reinforce the resolve the lad has to keep on the straight and narrow.

Posted by terrythomascigar on (November 04 2007, 19:36 PM GMT)

I had sympathy for Fletcher on the Aussie tour. In 2003 he was the messiah then in 2005 all the journo's earned easy money in a mexican wave of complaint. Same old story that we have seen for years Telling tales demeans him & whether you condemn Flintoff or not for what he did , Fletcher has timed the exposure for his own financial benefit - nothing else What is indefensible is his ratting on Trescothick a man who had a nervous breakdown - surely he did nothing to warrant being serialised by Fletcher for a few more bags of blood money? I would be amazed if anyone gives him a job on the county scene now (which he has professed an interest for). All the counties will have someone who was in that England squad & plenty more who are "mates" with someone who was. His actions will make him as popular & trusted in any changing room as a leaking latrine! On top of that his, man mngt & media mngt skills mean he is viable as a coach appt only; & when kept on a v. short leash

Posted by yakka on (November 04 2007, 14:26 PM GMT)

I think the 50 000 cricket fans who traveled to Aust deserved better than the vapid, weak-as-p**s performance that their team offered, and to hear now that the captain had serious drinking problem which the coach was too lame to deal with must really make them wonder what they spent their time money energy and jetlag on. This row will blow over soon and be less damaging for england than Fletcher's last book Ashes Regained which the Aust coach made mandatory reading for his staff. "Among explanations of the team management structure and dissection of the series as it developed, Fletcher spoke in detail about some of his work with the England players, including a fascinating evaluation of Andrew Strauss's method to combat Shane Warne. Fletcher also offered thoughts on the techniques and weaknesses of certain Australians including Michael Clarke, a revelation in recent weeks..." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/ashes_tour/article757732.ece

Posted by kunushah on (November 04 2007, 11:00 AM GMT)

Well- whatever Fletcher has said- the fact is that it will allow a lot more copies of the book to be sold- which means more money for the pubishers and Fletcher himself, which really is the whole point of writing the book in the first place. I guess in today's world you will see more of this- create controversy, because it sells!

Posted by Samarawickrema on (November 04 2007, 10:04 AM GMT)

I totally agree with Harmison coming to Flintoff's defence. He emphasises the important fact that Fletcher hadn't addressed the issue whilst he was at the helm is not going to help Fred now by bringing it out in the public. In my opinion Fletcher was so taken by Flintoff's accolades in cricket he didn't want to say or do anything at the time. So, why is he doing it now? The answer was highlighted by Geoffry Boycott in an interview, "I have no problem with cricket people writing books, telling the truth, and making some money. I have done it myself. Fine. But it seems a bit rich coming from someone who has made such a big deal about not "talking out of school". Fletcher is a hypocrite and he should be ashamed of himself." Unfortunately for Fletcher it has backfired and has shown him off as an incompetent coach who has not done his job.

Posted by Nipun on (November 04 2007, 08:08 AM GMT)

It isn't surprising that Harmison is the 1st 1 to speak out in defence of Andy Flintoff-They are so close budys after all...The ECB needs to investigate the real matter because if Fletcher is right,then Flintoff,2005 Ashes super-hero,must be accused of letting a nation down in the most crucial sporting event of the country's sporting history.

Posted by Barry69 on (November 04 2007, 07:43 AM GMT)

The issue here is not really about Andrew Flintoff and his bad behaviour or about Duncan Fletcher. It is about the game of cricket and cricket is the real loser. Flintoff let himself, the team and the public down but that is in the past. I am saddened that Fletchers revelations have without doubt damaged the game....

Posted by JaySarkar on (November 04 2007, 05:53 AM GMT)

Harmison must be applauded for coming out, not merely in support of Freddie, which he tangentially does, but highlighting the issue of the players being part of 'family' that looks after each other/ The coach often plays the role of the parental figure within this as he is privy to the information about and from most players that others may not have. The responsibility is with individuals, no doubt, but the greater responsibility in ensureing the stability of family lies with the parental figures. By choosing not to address Freddie's problems and now castigating him, reveals fletcher's nastier side- masquerading negligence of duties by moral righteousness and doing so for financial reasons. Its akin to a father not controlling his wayward child, then blaming the child later. Whilst one is not suggesting that international players should not take personal responsibility, Fletcher ought to have done something about it then and not write about it now. I shall not buy his book

Posted by vaji on (November 04 2007, 04:33 AM GMT)

I'm glad that someone has stepped in to defend freddie.Any team will have their own secrets which are not leaked in to the media and those secrets always keeps a team closely knitted. Its very true that they only have each other when they go on long tours, I think what Fletcher did was totally disgusting, he always has been having that "miserable" aura around him but I thought that it wont hurt England after his retirement. Guess he's haunting the pommies still. Think future international coaching contracts should have a clause to stop stuff like this happening again.

Posted by gavster70 on (November 04 2007, 04:17 AM GMT)

Whether Andrew Flintoff's reputation is being sullied by Duncan Fletcher "out of school" is not really the issue. As well paid, some would say over paid considering their behaviour at times, these players have a responsility to not only themselves but to the team and the game to promote it to the best of their individual and collective abilities. Much like Shane Warne and a few other players of the games history, the off field behaviour has a lot to do with how they are preceived in the game, regardless of their alleged brilliance on the pitch. The media often does not care what players do on te field just what sensationalism they provide off it. With all the money and time these type of players have at their disposal they should be acting with more thought and respect for the themselves their team mates and associated entourages, coaches, managers etc and especially for the fans that support them and the game. Otherwise they and the game will not warrant the paying customers money.