Read on Twitter
On his birthday, let us talk about Duncan Fletcher a bit and his remarkable life.
Let us get the cricketing bit away first.
Fletcher scored 4,095 runs at 23.67 from 111 First-Class matches and picked up 215 wickets at 28.03, but that is not what he is remembered for.
+
Let us get the cricketing bit away first.
Fletcher scored 4,095 runs at 23.67 from 111 First-Class matches and picked up 215 wickets at 28.03, but that is not what he is remembered for.
+
Zimbabwe played their first ever ODI in the 1983 World Cup, against Australia.
But before that, funds became an issue.
The cricketers organised raffles and sold personal items to raise money.
Some even worked as bouncers in casinos.
Fletcher kept them motivated throughout.
+
But before that, funds became an issue.
The cricketers organised raffles and sold personal items to raise money.
Some even worked as bouncers in casinos.
Fletcher kept them motivated throughout.
+
And then they shocked the world by beating Australia in their first match.
To understand Fletcher's contributions, we need to understand the enormity of the task as well as his performance.
– It was Zimbabwe's and Fletcher's first ODI
– The occasion was a World Cup
+
To understand Fletcher's contributions, we need to understand the enormity of the task as well as his performance.
– It was Zimbabwe's and Fletcher's first ODI
– The occasion was a World Cup
+
- The opposition was Australia
- Fletcher top-scored (69*)...
- ... and took most wickets (4/42)...
- ... and was Player of the Match
- He also led Zimbabwe.
Fletcher also got a 71* against Roberts, Holding, Daniel, and Davis later in the tournament.
+
- Fletcher top-scored (69*)...
- ... and took most wickets (4/42)...
- ... and was Player of the Match
- He also led Zimbabwe.
Fletcher also got a 71* against Roberts, Holding, Daniel, and Davis later in the tournament.
+
Under him, Zimbabwe did well in the return match against Australia.
They also famously reduced India to 17/5 before Kapil Dev bailed India out with one of the greatest innings ever.
He finished the tournament with 191 runs at 47.75 and 7 wickets at 31.57 at 4.40 an over.
+
They also famously reduced India to 17/5 before Kapil Dev bailed India out with one of the greatest innings ever.
He finished the tournament with 191 runs at 47.75 and 7 wickets at 31.57 at 4.40 an over.
+
Now began the second (and largely forgotten) part of his life.
Fletcher devised the Zimbabwe's vehicle number-plate system using an ingenious method.
He used a formula that would divide the number and use a letter of the alphabet depending on the remainder.
+
Fletcher devised the Zimbabwe's vehicle number-plate system using an ingenious method.
He used a formula that would divide the number and use a letter of the alphabet depending on the remainder.
+
And yet, Fletcher realised that it might not be safe (or wise) for him and his family in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwean degrees meant little, British universities were expensive, and you could not take money out of the country to study in South Africa.
There was no way ahead.
+
Zimbabwean degrees meant little, British universities were expensive, and you could not take money out of the country to study in South Africa.
There was no way ahead.
+
The turning point came when he dislocated a shoulder. He was told at the hospital that they did not have a sling.
Fletcher himself bought one, only to be told that they did not have a safety pin to attach the sling to.
+
Fletcher himself bought one, only to be told that they did not have a safety pin to attach the sling to.
+
Fletcher left for South Africa at 36 without a job or a home, with his family, and R4,000 in cash.
He was appointed coach of Western Province, who won the Currie Cup that season.
He got an offer from Glamorgan. In his first season they won the Championship after 28 seasons.
+
He was appointed coach of Western Province, who won the Currie Cup that season.
He got an offer from Glamorgan. In his first season they won the Championship after 28 seasons.
+
The ascent was swift.
After England's dismal show in the 1999 World Cup, David Lloyd was replaced by Fletcher, who got the nod ahead of Woolmer, Whatmore, and Birkenshaw.
He was the first to coach England without having played a Test. And the first non-Englishman to do so.
+
After England's dismal show in the 1999 World Cup, David Lloyd was replaced by Fletcher, who got the nod ahead of Woolmer, Whatmore, and Birkenshaw.
He was the first to coach England without having played a Test. And the first non-Englishman to do so.
+
Fletcher famously fast-tracked Trescothick, helped out Vaughan and Flintoff, and helped resurrect White's career.
Strauss attributed his technique against spin to Fletcher.
Giles and Panesar were both vocal in how Fletcher helped improve their bowling.
+
Strauss attributed his technique against spin to Fletcher.
Giles and Panesar were both vocal in how Fletcher helped improve their bowling.
+
Hussain once said: "a lot of the England batsmen will be quite happy to pull out of a county game if that means they can spend time with Fletcher. It will be much more productive."
Fletcher coached England to series wins in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
+
Fletcher coached England to series wins in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
+
Ahead of the former, he introduced a technique called 'forward press' to combat Saqlain.
Then he and Hussain devised the plan of using Giles to contain (and frustrate) Tendulkar.
In 2004 they won 3 Tests in West Indies before Lara saved the fourth with his 400*.
+
Then he and Hussain devised the plan of using Giles to contain (and frustrate) Tendulkar.
In 2004 they won 3 Tests in West Indies before Lara saved the fourth with his 400*.
+
Later that summer, they won all 7 Tests at home.
Then they beat South Africa 2-1 in South Africa.
Then they regained The Ashes after 16 years.
Fletcher was granted England citizenship next day after Home Secretary Charles Clarke stepped in.
+
Then they beat South Africa 2-1 in South Africa.
Then they regained The Ashes after 16 years.
Fletcher was granted England citizenship next day after Home Secretary Charles Clarke stepped in.
+
Then, after Vaughan and Trescothick flew home, they drew a series 1-1 in India.
England were thrashed 0-5 in the return Ashes, but they won the CB Series.
He stint for India had its highs and lows in Test cricket, though they did well in ODIs.
England were thrashed 0-5 in the return Ashes, but they won the CB Series.
He stint for India had its highs and lows in Test cricket, though they did well in ODIs.
This included the 2013 Champions Trophy win.
They also did well in the 2015 World Cup, where they lost only one match (the same as Australia and New Zealand). Till the semi-final, they bowled out every side.
They also did well in the 2015 World Cup, where they lost only one match (the same as Australia and New Zealand). Till the semi-final, they bowled out every side.
Fun fact:
Fletcher's sister Ann Grant was captain of the Zimbabwe side that won the gold medal in women's field hockey in the 1980 Olympics.
This remains Zimbabwe's only Olympic medal other than the 7 won by Kristy Coventry (2 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) in 2004 and 2008.
Fletcher's sister Ann Grant was captain of the Zimbabwe side that won the gold medal in women's field hockey in the 1980 Olympics.
This remains Zimbabwe's only Olympic medal other than the 7 won by Kristy Coventry (2 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) in 2004 and 2008.
